An incident that occurred in or near The Pas, Manitoba, where a wildfire or similar emergency situation caused significant smoke and reduced visibility on the highway.

The mention of helicopters suggests that they were likely being used for aerial firefighting or search and rescue operations. During such events, pilot vehicles are used to lead the way and ensure the safety of the aircraft as they take off and land in low-visibility conditions.
This is a common practice in emergency situations to maintain control over air traffic and prevent accidents. The smoke may have been caused by a nearby wildfire, and the decision to use a pilot vehicle would have been taken to ensure that the helicopters could reach their destination, possibly in Winnipeg, without encountering any issues due to the poor conditions.
📱: woodworth fire department