Special air quality statements in effect for southern Sask.

Northwesterly winds are yet again leading to reduced visibility and air quality concerns for southern Saskatchewan.

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values for Regina and Saskatoon continue to be elevated – being recorded as 9 and 7 respectively.

As of Monday – there are currently 44 active wildfires burning in Saskatchewan.

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Eight are described as contained, 20 are undergoing assessment, protecting property is the focus of 12 fires while four are currently not contained.

The four uncontrolled fires – Erir04, Moore, Reimer and Bear – are all located in the Lac Île-à-la-Crosse, Patuanak and Pine River area.

As of Aug. 7, there have been 389 fires in the province this year – significantly more than the five year average of 323.

Air quality in the province is expected to improve as winds turn north-easterly on Tuesday.

Currently there are over 70 active fire bans across the province according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).

For those who are looking to camp this summer season, many campsites are still allowing Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved propane and charcoal fire pits in campsites.

“When it’s this dry, it takes about four or five days of constant rain for a fire ban to come off,” William Tipper – a park ranger in Buffalo Pound Provincial Park – told CTV News.

“Lots of people don’t realize what actually causes the fires to spread because when you’ve got propane and are burning charcoal, there’s not much in terms of sparks but when you’ve got wood that’s popping and spitting coals all over the place, it tends to spread the fires.”