Alberta in for 'a long haul' as firefighters push through hot, dry weekend

Hot temperatures and dry, windy conditions continue to challenge Alberta firefighters this weekend, as thick wildfire smoke settles over Edmonton and surrounding areas.

On Saturday afternoon, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) listed Edmonton's air quality at a seven, or high risk. A special air quality statement is in effect for much of the province, advising people to avoid being outside due to the health risks of the smoke.

Josee St-Onge, Alberta Wildfire information officer, said in an interview with CBC Saturday morning that fire crews are continuing their work.

"Good progress on many of these wildfires, building containment lines and fire guards around communities, but we're expecting another challenging day today," she said

"It's definitely going to be a long haul. Fires that are this size burn very intensely.

According to Alberta Wildfire's online dashboard, as of Saturday morning, 88 wildfires were burning inside Alberta's forest protection zones, and 25 are classified as out of control.

The province is set to provide an update on the wildfire situation at 3 p.m. MT on Saturday.

St-Onge added there is some hope in the forecast.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is projecting rainfall for the start of next week. with temperatures dipping down to around 20 C. 

This weekend, temperatures remain 10 C above seasonal.

While a brief respite in weather conditions will help, St-Onge said it will take a prolonged response to get the current wildfire situation under control.

"There's definitely a lot of work ahead. We're only in mid-May and a wildfire season typically goes [until] October," she said.

"So it's definitely a critical situation out there."

As part of the special air quality statement, Environment and Climate Change Canada says people with lung disease or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.