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General evacuation issued for Lac La Ronge communities

Jul 4, 2015 | 3:55 PM

More than 7,000 people in the Lac La Ronge and Hall Lake areas have been asked to evacuate as fire creeps closer to the communities.

A general evacuation has been advised for La Ronge, Air Ronge and Lac La Ronge Indian Band as the Egg fire moves to within eight kilometers north to the east side of Hives Lake. Meanwhile fire is within 500 metres of Hall Lake, Sikichew and Clam Lake Bridge and is a direct threat to the communities, according toLac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson.

“So socked in with smoke we can’t see across our lake,” said Jenni Willems, who is helping her father evacuate his home near Lamp Lake, 10 kilometres north of La Ronge. “I wouldn’t say scary. You grow up in the north, you’re surrounded by forest fires, you’re kind of mentally prepared for that, but to actually see it happening is another thing all together.”

The evacuation notice is the largest single notice to date, and will add to the current 5,588 Northern Saskatchewan evacuees. It is unclear where all evacuees will be housed.  

A notice sent out to residents asks them to leave with “a sense of purpose and urgency, but not panic.”

The primary evacuation route is Highway 2 South while Highway 165 east towards Creighton is also an option. Highway crews are watching junctions and will inform travelers of road closures and alternate routes.

There is smoke and some small fires along Highway 2. Highway two heading north has been shut down due to poor visibility conditions and to make way for all the traffic coming south. 

People who need transportation can register at the JRMCC hall and area on Far Reserve. Buses will be provided. People are asked to only bring one bad, all necessary medication and no pets. Officials will stay behind to look after pets. 

Last night, fires burned down three buildings in Wadin Bay, which is 25 kilometers north of La Ronge. Homes were also damaged in Montreal Lake and Weyakwin.

Willems, who lives in Saskatoon, said they hauled away any flammable material and buried larger equipment like snowmobiles in sand. 

She said they set up a sprinkler system but their pump quit, as did all their neighbours’ systems. She said they are waiting for a new one before they leave. 

She said she is relying on social media for information and photos of the fires. 

There are currently 114 fires burning across Northern Saskatchewan. 

lkretzel@rawlco.com

Follow on Twitter: @lkretzel