Environment Canada has issued air quality alerts for areas in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba because of wildfires. More specifically in Saskatchewan, the air quality alert is for Prince Albert National Park, La Ronge and further north including Pelican Narrows, Cumberland House and Southend.

Saskatchewan’s Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety reminds everyone to be diligent when spending time in the province’s forests because half of the fires are started by individuals, not lightning.

As of this morning, the SPSA reported nine wildfires in the province, of which one is not contained. One is contained, firefighters are protecting property on four others and three are under ongoing assessment. There have been 153 wildfires in the province so far this year, while the five year average is 73.