Alberta wildfires: What you need to know for the long weekend

Poor air quality and extreme fire risk is expected throughout the long weekend, and officials are urging Albertans to put safety first.

With extreme fire risk expected throughout the long weekend, officials are urging Albertans to put safety first.

On Saturday, 87 wildfires were burning throughout the province and 24 of those were classified as out of control by Alberta Wildfire.

Smoke from the fires continued to settle in the capital region, and Canada's Air Quality Health Index showed air quality in Edmonton at a 10+ as of 1 p.m.

Above 10 is considered "very high risk," and the agency said people should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, with children and elderly people at a higher risk.

As of Friday, an estimated 275 structures had been damaged by wildfires and around 10,500 Albertans remained unable to go home.

While the greatest danger remained in northern Alberta, the fire risk ranged from moderate to high in the southern Rocky Mountains, too.  

the provincial government asked residents not to participate in outdoor recreation like backcountry camping, mountain biking and hiking in northwest Alberta this weekend.