The Ottawa-Gatineau region is still experiencing poor air quality from drifting wildfire smoke, prompting Environment Canada to maintain its special air quality statements into Saturday.

The agency issued the statements for most of the region on Friday as of 7 a.m., which spread to blanket all of eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

As of 9 a.m. Saturday, Kingston, Ont. and the surrounding area had its special air quality statement lifted, but the statement is still in place in Ontario as far south as Smith's Falls and stretching east all the way to the Georgian Bay.

In western Quebec, the statement stretches east along the Quebec-U.S. border and north stopping short of Val-d'Or.

The Air Quality Health Index for downtown Ottawa was six, or moderate risk, on Saturday as of 9 a.m.

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