A health warning remained in effect on Friday as smoky skies continued to hang over southern Manitoba.
Environment Canada said a forecasted shift in winds could mean clear skies on Saturday morning but that the smoke is expected to make a return early next week.
Four-month-old Deklan sleeps through a rare stroller ride. That's because lately, Tammy Antosko has limited the time her son spends outside.
"I had him outside in the backyard with us but because it's so humid and the smoke in the air he was coughing a lot,” said Antosko. “It was kind of uncomfortable for him so I had to take him back in the house."
The hazy skies are being produced by forest fires burning right across western Canada - all the way from BC to Saskatchewan.
"There's a lot of the northwestern part of the country that's on fire right now,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Natali Hassel. “So if our wind flow comes from there, it's going to bring that smoky air back to us."
Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement - a warning that people living with a respiratory disease could experience difficulty breathing.
But it's so smoky, even the general population may develop symptoms.
"You also have to be careful because you might be susceptible and not realize it,” said Hassel. “So maybe you've never had these problems and you're starting to feel a cough or this irritated throat."
While you may be tempted to run your air conditioner, the Manitoba Lung Association suggests putting it on the recirculation setting so outside air doesn't move inside.
It's also a good idea to close your windows.
The lung association said you may also need to moderate the time you spend outdoors, even those who are physically active.
"Each person's going to have to decide for themselves whether they want to power through it,” said Todd Besant with the Manitoba Lung Association. “In general, the recommendation is to not exercise when the air quality's poor."
Some relief on the horizon - the wind is expected to shift Saturday morning, which means the haze could clear.
That's good news for Natural Cycle bike courier Jake Enns who spends long days outside.
"You just kind of take what Mother Nature gives you and make the best of it,” said Enns.
The clear skies may not last long. Environment Canada expects those northwest winds to return early next week and that as long as the wildfires keep burning, southern Manitoba will be experiencing smoky skies.
