Expected hot, dry summer means more fire, smoke coming to Alberta
As the definition of a typical Canadian summer evolves, experts say "hot" and "dry" could be the buzzwords of the season.
That means Albertans should expect even more flames and smoke this year, even after a record-setting start to the wildfire season.
Meteorologists advise prepping for more extreme events and warnings.
"We're anticipating a very active wildfire year to at least continue," Environment and Climate Change Canada's Sara Hoffman said.
"The long-range forecast we have for summer will be conducive to the creation of that wildfire smoke."
Where that smoke ends up is hard to specifically track, but more days with an air quality index above 10 wouldn't surprise Hoffman.
"For folks in Canada -- especially in Alberta -- we should be prepared for a few very poor air quality days," she said.
"It's very reasonable to be concerned. And I would encourage everyone to take it seriously. Even folks without pre-existing health conditions can experience some negative health side effects from air quality that poor."
Calgary is under a new heat warning as of Tuesday afternoon -- one that's expected to last at least a few days.
While fire crews are always urging residents to be careful while smoking or starting recreational blazes, the main culprit is something a lot larger.
"With our changing climate, more active, longer wildfire seasons are expected," Hoffman said.
"That's just something that will come with climate change."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.