Environment Canada issued an air quality warning for southern Manitoba on Monday due to wildfires burning in northern Saskatchewan.

The smoke outside is forcing some to find ways to spend more time inside.

Keith Saunders and his son Riddick got away from the smoke by playing on coin operated cars at Kildonan Place on Monday afternoon.

"In the summer time it’s nice to have them (children) outside. But if it's having some effect on them in the future it's cause for concern," said Saunders.

He says he doesn't know what affect the smoke blowing in from the Saskatchewan will have on his son but he doesn’t want to take any chances.

Citing her asthma, Barb Hanisch says she’s also concerned.

"That's why I'd rather stay in the house, in my apartment and put on the air conditioning and stay there. At least you're not feeling like you're going to passing out or something," said Hanisch.

“Northwest winds aloft are expected to persist over Manitoba for the next few days so hazy conditions are expected to linger,” reads the warning on the Environment Canada website.

Conditions are worse closer to the Saskatchewan border.

The Manitoba Lung Association says about one in every five Manitobans deals with a lung issue and the reason many are having a hard time breathing in smoky air is because there are particles in it.

"What happens is you get all the particles that are trapped in this warm moist air, all the particles from the forest fires. So you're trying to breathe, it's hard to breathe when its humid and hot and add to that pollution as well," said Margaret Bernhardt-Lowdon of the Manitoba Lung Association.

Manitoba Health says people with heart conditions also need to take extra caution.

"If you do have cardiac disease then there is always the potential you can even have angina attacks, and in the worst case scenario actual heart attacks," said Dr. Richard Rusk of Manitoba Health.

Manitoba Health also advises anyone exercising or working outside in these hazy conditions to take it easy.

Dr. Rusk says the best bet is to stay indoors until the air quality improves.