As wildfires rage on in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, smoke has been travelling across the country, leading to poor air quality and reduced visibility in Waterloo Region and much of Ontario.

A special weather statement from Environment Canada has been issued for Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo, warning people to limit their time outdoors while the smoke persists.

“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase,” the special air quality statement reads. “Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.”

Overnight Thursday into early Friday morning, Kitchener’s air quality hit a 10+, or “high risk.”

This is the highest level on Ontario’s Air Quality Health Index. By Friday at 9 a.m., the level had decreased to “moderate risk.”

Air quality for

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