Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Wildfires grow but threat level does not

Sep 8, 2017 | 1:55 PM

Two of the three uncontrolled wildfires raging in the Pelican Narrows area have increased in size, but officials insist there is no increase in threat.

The continuing hot and dry weather and fluctuating wind direction has seen the fires grow. These conditions are not expected to change in the coming days. One of the fires is close to Jan Lake and Birch Portage, while another remains within three kilometres of Pelican Narrows. All three of those communities have been evacuated.

“The conditions have posed some challenges for our crews but has not increased the threat to any of the values [property and infrastructure],” Steve Roberts with Wildfire Management said in a media call Friday.  

He said while the scale of the two bigger fires – 88,000 hectares and 38,000 hectares – was not small, the main issue was the combination of three fires in such close proximity.

“They’re all burning at the same time in a relatively small area, all kind of working against each other, “ Roberts said. “ That’s what’s making this situation more critical”.

The southerly wind has made skies clear and is helping to push the wildfire closest to Pelican Narrows further to the north. That’s a good thing but officials said the downside is it risks moving the fire closer to vital power supply infrastructure north of the community.

It remains unclear when the 2,700 people who have now fled their homes can return.

Commissioner of Fire Safety Duane McKay said their personnel of over 300 were constantly planning and working to ensure infrastructure was being protected so the communities would be as normal as possible for when folks finally returned home. But he couldn’t give a timeline.

“This has been a very dynamic fire with some twists and turns in terms of the weather and I don’t think we’re in a position to foretell what this fire is going to do’” Mckay said.

But he hinted the entire blaze did not need to be extinguished before people could return.

“The opportunity for people to return home before the fires are out is a real possibility but we’ll have to ensure it is safe to do so.”

Sections of Highway 135 and Highway 106 remain closed with people and supplies being moved under escort.

Officials have applauded Prince Albert and Saskatoon for being welcoming and supportive of the many evacuees from the area. Over 2,700 evacuees are now officially registered, with 1,474 of those now staying in hotels in P.A.

 

Glenn.Hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: princealbertnow