Air-quality warning placed over Winnipeg

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This article was published 02/06/2025 (309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special air-quality statement for Winnipeg on Monday morning as a blanket of smoke from raging wildfires settled over Manitoba’s capital city.

As of 9 a.m. Monday, Winnipeg was above 10 on the air-quality index, considered “very high risk.”

Smoke from fires in the northern regions of Manitoba and Saskatchewan was causing periods of poor air quality and reduced visibility. The national weather service urged people to limit time outdoors, warning high levels of smoke could pose health risks.

“You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough,” the statement said.

People suffering from illness or chronic health conditions, infants, children, pregnant women and those aged 65 or older are at the highest risk, it said.

ECCC urged people to keep their windows and doors closed, and seek medical attention if they begin to experience symptoms.