Edmonton weekend looks hot, dry and smoky

The theme song for Edmonton's upcoming weekend could easily by Smoke on the Water.

Except for the water part. Smoke we have. Heat, too.

Put it all together and you get air quality problems, watering restrictions and a heat advisory.

Forest fires burning across Western Canada have left a smoky haze lingering over Edmonton.

The air quality index for the city is expected to be 10on Saturday. That's the highest number on the Environment Canada scale.

Dr. Joanna Oda with Alberta Health Service said most people will not be at risk but the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions should be careful.

"That's severe poor air quality," she said. "So you may actually want to make sure you're checking in on some of those vulnerable people. Some healthy people may actually start to experience some side-effects of the air quality, such as stinging in their eyes or an irritation in their throat."

Oda said people with health conditions should stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise.

The hot, dry conditions have led to voluntary water restrictions in areas outside Edmonton.

Strathcona County, Leduc County and the city of Leduc have asked residents to reduce or postpone all non-essential water use, including watering lawns, gardens and trees and washing cars.

Parts of Sturgeon County also have a non essential watering ban.

The Environment Canada forecast calls for highs of 31 C on Saturday and 27 C on Sunday. That has prompted Alberta Health Services to issue a heat advisory for the whole Edmonton zone.

AHS said people should take the precautions to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun, or from heat-related exhaustion and heat stroke.

"Normal activity that may be safe on a cool day might be dangerous in current weather conditions," said Dr. Chris Sikora, medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone.

"Excessive heat can aggravate underlying medical illness, such as congestive heart failure, and can also be of heightened danger to children and seniors."