All eyes on air quality for Roughriders game as smoke invades Regina

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The CFL is watching the air quality in Regina ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders game scheduled for 5 p.m. today.

In a message on X (formerly Twitter), the CFL team posted an advisory that said kickoff remained scheduled for 5 p.m. at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium, and gates opened for a Party in the Park event at 2 p.m. The Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-5) are set to host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-2) in the 58th edition of the Labour Day Classic. 

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The team said it was “actively monitoring air quality conditions using in-stadium instruments to ensure safe conditions for our players, coaches, staff and fans” alongside the CFL and players’ association.

Environment Canada measured the air quality in Regina as “very high risk” with an AQHI rating of 10+ because of a plume of wildfire smoke that continues to affect most of southern and central parts of the province.

More information on air quality alerts for specific areas of the province is available at weather.gc.ca. Information is also available on the Saskatchewan Public Service Agency website at saskpublicsafety.ca and the SaskAlert app. The provincial air quality summary for Saskatchewan can be found here.

Environment Canada says that air quality and reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.

“Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations,” the alerts say.

“People with lung disease (such as asthma) 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.”