Wildfires in Canada: Fort McMurray, Fort Nelson

Air quality warnings were renewed Thursday for some areas of western Canada as wildfires move closer to urban neighborhoods, according to the latest forecasts.

Fires near communities like Fort McMurray are causing worsening air quality levels in northern Alberta as the flames force the evacuation of four neighborhoods.

Changing winds Thursday will keep air quality levels low in the Fort McMurray area through the evening, according to CTV Your Morning meteorologist Kelsey McEwen. Winds would clear the snow from the community, she added.

McEwen said the long-term forecast for the Fort McMurray area includes cooler weather in the single digits and possible rain Thursday.

Air quality warnings have also been issued for some areas in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there are currently 128 active fires burning in Canada, 34 of which are considered out of control.

In BC, showers are expected in Fort Nelson over the next few days and drier weather through Sunday.

A special weather advisory has been issued for the mountain passes of southern British Columbia, with two to five centimeters of snow expected Thursday night into Friday morning.

“This is an indication of the overall shift in weather patterns in the West toward wetter conditions,” McEwen said.

Temperatures are warming in Atlantic Canada, but not for long. A cold front in the low 20s will follow, turning the weather in some areas.