All one had to do was take a step outside and get a sniff of the air to know this was coming.
The Moose Jaw High School Athletic Association made the decision to postpone the city championship track and field meet Wednesday, thanks to the heavy forest fire smoke blanketing southern Saskatchewan.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Air Quality Health Index was in the 10-plus Very High Risk category. As a result, Environment Canada released a special air quality statement, recommending caution when taking part in outdoor activities and stopping activity if breathing becomes uncomfortable.
Smoke conditions were expected to remain in the 10-plus range throughout the day before falling into the high-risk range in the evening.
Things are expected to improve dramatically overnight, falling into the low-risk category for Thursday.
Should conditions improve substantially, the plan is to hold the meet Thursday beginning at 9 a.m. at Gutheridge Field. Events will continue across all age categories throughout the day before wrapping up with the relays around 3:30 p.m.
Later in the afternoon, Moose Jaw Soccer, Moose Jaw and District Minor Girls Fastball and Moose Jaw Little League followed the City of Moose Jaw recommendations, cancelling all games on Wednesday night.
There are currently 28 active forest fires burning in Saskatchewan, with a total of 169 so far this year, well over the five-year average of 84.
