Numerous forest fires in northern Saskatchewan are producing reduced visibilities in smoke and poor air quality for communities near and downwind of the fires.

As a cold front pushes through the region, the wind direction will switch to blow from the north. This will result in a return to smoky conditions later Friday to areas south of the fires.

Conditions for communities on the southern flank of these air quality statements, including Saskatoon, should begin to see some improvement on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a prolonged heat wave continues across the southern Prairies. Heading into the weekend, daytime highs will climb into the low to mid-30s with overnight lows in the high teens to near 20 degrees.

A few regions will see daytime highs in the upper 20s to start next week, but the heat will re-intensify after that. Daytime highs will once again climb into the 30s with overnight lows remaining in the upper teens or low 20s through the remainder of next week.