By Kellah Lavoie

Firefighters keep busy in Northern Saskatchewan

Jun 9, 2011 | 6:48 AM

As tides are changing at the fire near Wollaston Lake, firefighters are trying to keep things under control in the northwest of the province.

Steve Roberts, executive director of the wildfire management program with the Ministry of Environment, said there is a 17,500 hectare fire, about the size of Saskatoon, burning.

It is still 20 kilometres from any community or industrial site at this point, the closest community is Descharme Lake.

“With the warmer weather and the winds we could have some smoke issues so we will be monitoring those as well,” he said.

The biggest concern is smoke travelling into the nearby community.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

14h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

18h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

21h ago

“Our crews are all on high alert pretty much across the province,” he said, explaining the warm, dry weather is expected to last.

There are nine active fires burning, one of which is still the fire near Wollaston Lake and Hatchet Lake First Nation.

The fire has not shrunk in size, and Roberts said it likely won’t until it burns itself out since the size is determined by the perimeter of the fire.

Crews are still on site, with one of their biggest concerns being smoke.

This year there have been 174 forest fires in the province – the numbers are on par for last year.

klavoie@panow.com