People warned to take precautions as smoke continues to fill Saskatoon skies.

As smoke continues to fill Saskatoon skies, officials are warning people with respiratory illnesses to stay inside.

Photograph by: Greg Pender, The StarPhoenix

 By Charles Hamilton, The StarPhoenix

Forest fires in northern Saskatchewan now seem closer to home for many in Saskatoon.
The heavy smoke blanketing the city has forced many people to stay indoors.
"It’s just not safe for the players to be out there," said Erin Fehr, operations coordinator for Saskatoon Youth Soccer.
Fehr said around 10 end-of-season games for kids under 12 had to be cancelled Monday as heavy smoke continued to pour into the city from northern forest fires.
Some coaches may decide to reschedule, but for others it might just be the end of the season, she said.
Soccer players weren’t the only ones forced indoors. As Environment Canada issued an air quality alert for the city, outdoor city pools were also closed and health officials warned about the negative effects of breathing the heavy smoke.
"We want everyone to stay indoors," said Jill Hubick of the Lung Association of Saskatchewan...Read more>>http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/People+warned+take+precautions+smoke+fills+city/11176440/story.html