CFL, Riders monitoring smoky air in Regina, but Labour Day Classic ...

Will McLernon · CBC News

· Posted: Sep 03, 2023 1:50 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

The CFL and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are keeping an eye on smoky air ahead of the Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday at Mosaic stadium, but the game is still set to kick of at 5 p.m. CST.

"The Saskatchewan Roughriders, alongside the CFL, CFLPA and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are actively monitoring the air quality conditions using our in-stadium instruments to ensure safe conditions for our players, coaches, staff and fans," the Roughriders posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The Coors Light Party is still set to kick off in the park, opening at 2 p.m.

The Riders say the organization will post updates on social media if required. 

An Environment and Climate Change Canada special air quality statement is in effect for the City of Regina as a plume of wildfire smoke continues to affect most of southern and central Saskatchewan.

As of 11:00 a.m. CST Sunday, Environment and Climate Change Canada had Regina's air quality health index at a level 10 — which is considered to be high risk.  Throughout Sunday  the AQHI has been alternating between high risk and very high risk. 

Those levels of wildfire smoke could be harmful to everyone's health and ECCC recommends limiting time outdoors and especially any strenuous activity. 

The AQHI is projected to drop to a seven — which is still considered high risk — by Sunday night, according to ECCC's website.

"It was smokier in Swift Current earlier today and they've now cleared up a bit. I'm not going to say its super nice there, but they're better than they were,"  ECCC Meteorologist Dan Fulton said on Sunday shortly after noon. 

"So we're kind of thinking that might improve things a little bit towards the evening in Regina and then maybe not a bad night for smoke. There's still going to be smoke around but not quite as bad as it is now. "

Two Royal Canadian Air Force training jets are scheduled to fly over Mosaic Stadium at 4:55 p.m. to honour the Canadian Armed Forces.

On Thursday, the Royal Canadian Air Force said flybys are closely controlled for public safety and dependent on weather and flying conditions.

Fulton said the visibility in Regina on Sunday was about four kilometres in the smoke. He added that after a projected small reprieve on Sunday night, the smoke is expected to return to parts of the province.