Wildfire smoke expected to drift into southern Ontario [Video]

Wildfire smoke could drift into southern Ontario this week.

The fires have raged across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario this month. On Wednesday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said 17,000 people have been evacuated from several communities and First Nations as he placed his entire province under a state of emergency.

Parts of Ontario are being impacted by smoke drift from the active fires in the province and the prairie provinces, the Ministry of Natural Resources said on X on Thursday.

FireSmoke Canada, a portal for information about wildland fire weather and smoke, predicts the smoke will drift into southern Ontario, impacting air quality.

The forecast map shows smoke moving in on Friday afternoon.

Special air quality statements for smoke are in effect for parts of northern Ontario on Thursday.

The statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada said smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility in areas near the Manitoba border, north of Thunder Bay.

Wildfire smoke is expected …