By Angela Hill

Fire shuts down northern airstrip

Jun 1, 2011 | 1:44 PM

A fire in Northern Saskatchewan is threatening the 1,000 people who have been unable to be evacuated, yet.

“The fire is less than a kilometer (away). The wind is shifting our way … it’s shifting southwest and goes directly to us,” said Anne Robillard, who is co-ordinating the rescue efforts for the Hatchet Lake First Nation.

Smoke settled over the airstrip, at about 11 a.m., which has temporarily stopped the evacuation flights, said the Ministry of Environment during a press conference this morning.

Since then the smoke has been lifting for just long enough for occational flight to leave.

There is no road out or into the community and the lake, while it is thawing, has too much ice on it for the barge to run.

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“The only way out is to fly people out and we’re doing as much as we can,” Robillard said.

People are being moved to the school for safety and because there is better air quality indoors.

Robillard said she sees and hears that people are worried.

“Personally I am taking the responsibility, so I’m not on the panicky side … yet. I have to say that because I see the flames so close.”

According to the Ministry of Environment, the fire is assumed to be caused by humans.

The fire started small, but quickly grew and now covers about 500 hectares, or five square kilometres, putting about 193 homes at risk.

About 240 people who were able to get out of the community have been registered and are staying at SIAST in Prince Albert. About 50 others are staying with friends and families or at hotels in the city.

See related: Fire threatens northern community

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