Stampeders 'actively monitoring' air quality conditions for Labour Day Battle of Alberta

The CFL's annual Battle of Alberta on Labour Day in Calgary — which features a pair of West Division clubs with gaps between themselves and a playoff spot — is set to kick off this afternoon in the midst of poor air quality conditions across the province.

The Calgary Stampeders wrote in a statement that the organization was "actively monitoring" air quality conditions in the area, but added that kickoff remains set for 5 p.m. MT. 

The pre-game tailgate at Gridiron Gardens, located on the practice field immediately south of McMahon Stadium, will also open as scheduled at 3 p.m. MT.

"Further updates will be provided through our social media channels if required," the team wrote in its post.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers were similarly watching air conditions prior to kick-off of their Labour Day Classic on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.

As of Monday at 11 a.m. M.T., Calgary was considered as a high risk on the Air Quality Health Index scale.

People with lung disease such as asthma, as well as those with heart disease, older people, children, pregnant people and those who work outside, are at higher risk of experiencing health effects from the smoke, according to Environment Canada.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the game itself, the Edmonton Elks have a little confidence — and the Calgary Stampeders need some.

Calgary (3-8) has lost three straight in August, all to the top three teams in the CFL. Edmonton (2-9) has won two games in a row after a miserable start to the season.

Canadian quarterback Tre Ford, a University of Waterloo alum, marshalled Edmonton to those two victories, including last week's home win over Ottawa to end an awful 22-game losing streak at Commonwealth Stadium.

Both clubs have time to salvage their 2023 campaigns with seven games remaining in their regular seasons, but the salvaging needs to start immediately.

"We're right together at the bottom," Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said. "One of us has to come out of the bottom and we're hoping that's us."

So Monday's clash at McMahon Stadium combined with Saturday's rematch at Commonwealth is a make-or-break scenario this season for Alberta's CFL teams.

"This is kind of a defining moment for both squads," said Elks coach and GM Chris Jones.