After having experienced some haze due to the fires in BC, smoke is coming our way from northern parts in our own province.

"The air quality is not great at the moment, and I think at this point in time we can blame it on forest fires up north, and the north winds that are bringing the smoke down to the southern part of Manitoba," says Dr. Denis Fortier, vice-president of medical services for Southern Health-Santé Sud. "It brings a lot of smoke, and smoke is made of particulate matter -- dust and ash and other byproducts."

Fortier says short-term symptoms we will see more of an increase in visits to clinics and ERs for health or respiratory issues. Staying inside is the best preventative measure. Quality 95-type masks or HEPA filters are recommended, but avoiding the outside area is easiest.

He notes business is still as usual, while the RHA acknowledges surges of patients occur, but can be handled.