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Sask Emergency Alerts: Get the app as wildfire risk continues

May 15, 2018 | 5:33 PM

With the extreme wildfire risk and potential for more evacuations the province is recommending the public download the mobile app from Saskatchewan Emergency Alerts.

paNOW heard of several instances where people received notice of the original evacuation order for Crutwell late Monday afternoon but some got it at different times.

The public is being reminded not to confuse the provincial alert system with the national alerts being tested at the moment.

“With Saskatchewan emergency alerts it’s important to have that app downloaded on your phone,” Jay Teneycke with Government Relations said during a conference call Tuesday. “When it comes to the national alert service the public should check with their service providers who can give direction on that.”

paNOW heard some people ultimately did get notice of the initial Crutwell evacuation order Monday, but they got it as much as 40 minutes after the initial order issued at 3:56 p.m.

However, Director of Emergency operations Ray Unrau said he wasn’t aware of anyone who had not been informed of the order.

“We haven’t heard any reports of anybody being missed on the alert. The actual evacuation order that was given out was given even for folks who don’t have the app,” he said.

Tuesday’s evacuation order was issued via the Sask Alerts app at 2:06 p.m.

The app can be downloaded via the provincial government page:

http://emergencyalert.saskatchewan.ca/

 

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow