(Updated at 7:30 a.m.)

There is a special weather statement involving air quality that encompasses much of northern Saskatchewan including areas near Waskesiu Lake, Candle Lake and Tobin Lake. Smoke from wildfires is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility from border to border.

Environment Canada suggests taking a break from the smoke by temporarily relocating or finding a location in your community with clean, cool air such as a library, shopping mall or community centre. And if you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator type mask like an N-95 mask is recommended.

Power is out to a significant swathe of Saskatchewan impacted by wildfires due to wildfire damage and there is no restoration time in sight for Dillon, La Loche, Buffalo River, St. Georges Hill, Turnor Lake, Buffalo Narrows.

Meanwhile Buffalo Narrows started evacuating last night. Highway 925 is closed from Junction highway 155 to Dillon; Highway 155 from Junction highway 165 to Buffalo Narrows is closed and Pinehouse Highway 914 from Churchill River to the Key Lake mine site is closed all due to wildfires in the area.

La Loche and Isle a La Crosse aren’t evacuating at this time but Ducharme Elementary is closed due to power outage and HWY 155 closure.  Isle-a-la-Crosse Mayor Duane Favel has re engaged the Emergency Operations Committee which is meeting this morning at 10 a.m.

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency latest report there are 35 active wildfires in the province with six not contained. There have been 154 fires so far this year and 77 is the five-year average.

Today, the Prime Minister will meet with wildfire personnel who are on the ground battling wildfires in Alberta. Active fires in Alberta this morning number 89, with 26 currently considered out of control. After stopping down in Alberta, Justin Trudeau is jetting off on a weeklong trip to Asia where he will eventually take part in the latest G-7 summit.