Hot, dry, and hazy conditions will persist across much of the Province this weekend
Hazy skies and the strong smell of smoke have been hard to miss across Newfoundland and Labrador. Some of that haze is from our own local fires, while high-altitude smoke has drifted in from massive blazes burning in western Canada. Satellite imagery from NASA even shows the Kingston fire’s smoke reaching the top of St. Mary’s Bay. This haze isn’t going anywhere in a hurry—expect it to linger through the weekend, with occasional bursts of stronger smoke depending on the wind.
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Firefighters remain focused on three out-of-control blazes: the Kingston, Holyrood, and Martin Lake fires. The Kingston fire, near 3,000 hectares in size, is the most active and continues to have the greatest impact on air quality. Winds in the coming days could push it eastward toward areas where properties are at risk. The Martin Lake fire is holding steady but could also be nudged east by the prevailing westerlies, while the Holyrood fire has seen little recent change. There’s also an unconfirmed report of a possible new fire west of Burgeo, which will be closely monitored.
Air quality remains a concern. Environment and Climate Change Canada has an Air Quality Warning in effect for Avalon North, while St. John’s and the Southern Shore are under a Special Air Quality Statement. Depending on how the winds shift, the smoke could thicken or clear at times, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the latest alerts.
Adding to the challenge is an intense stretch of heat. A strong ridge of high pressure—often referred to as a heat dome—is in place, causing air to sink, compress, and warm well above seasonal norms. Temperatures in parts of the province could climb as much as ten degrees above average over the coming days. Heat Warnings are in effect for parts of Labrador and eastern and central Newfoundland. Unfortunately, there’s little relief in sight, with the next decent chance of rain not expected until late next week.
In short, we’re in for several more days of hot, dry, and smoky weather. Fire danger will stay high, and air quality may fluctuate quickly. For now, the best advice is to limit time outdoors when smoke is thick, keep an eye on official updates, and hope for that much-needed rain to arrive sooner rather than later.
