VIDEO: Wildfires continue to put stress on northern communities

“We’re seeing extreme volatile fire behaviour, so conditions that even air support and air tankers can’t manage,” said Steve Roberts, executive director of wildfire management for the ministry of environment. “Many of the fires that started have been contained to a small size, only a few of those that escaped containment early on have continued to grow.”

A fire in Clearwater River is 1.28 square kilometres and has forced a northern settlement in the area to evacuate.

“We do have rapid response teams working directly with the community and value protection and supporting their emergency operation center,” said McKay.

The Besnard fire which is west of La Ronge is causing major issues for Sikachu and Clam Crossing with both smoke and danger from the fire itself.

“[It is] in excess of 1,500 hectares, not yet contained,” said Roberts. The fire is about 15 square kilometres large.

He added that special water pumps have been set up in those communities to try and help protect the structures and homes while the community members are evacuated.

Smoke from the fire has also forced evacuations from Hall Lake as well.

The Egg fire is not far from the Besnard fire, according to Roberts, and it may have caused some damage to properties.

“We are aware that there may have been some remote values, such as a cabin, that may have been impacted by this fire,” said Roberts. “But no homes, no communities and no public infrastructure.”

The last fire of major concern to the ministry is the Sucker fire which is near Sucker River.

“It is putting smoke into the community and Stanley Mission,” said Roberts. “There is as threat for remote structures to be impacted.”

“Government Relations is sending additional resources in to work with communities and their emergency co-ordinators as well as their elected officials as they go through this difficult time with fire threats and smoke threats,” said McKay.

For communities that haven’t been evacuated there is still concern for residents being affected by smoke inhalation, especially the Town of La Ronge, where smoke is causing major air quality issues for the La Ronge Hospital.

“There are some issues with air quality actually at the hospital, and we’re looking at the potential of moving some of those folks out of the hospital, perhaps to other health authorities,” said Garnet Matchett, director of operations for the health emergency management unit at the ministry of health. “If need be we’ll start to move them, and of course watching some of the other communities like Stanley Mission.”

And in terms of road conditions, Doug Wakabayashi with the ministry of highways said at least one highway has been shut down.

He said Highway 935 is closed, and it runs north from Highway 165, he said. “In addition highway 102, we’re keeping an eye on it, and depending on weather and fire behaviour, we may have to close it.”

Wakabayashi said that there are message boards set up near the highway to indicate to drivers that visibility is limited due to the heavy smoke.

Highways 155 and 955 were both closed over the weekend but have now been reopened.

All closures will be posted on Highway Hotline immediately so drivers can check ahead of time before they travel.

Roberts said they are expecting more rain, however it will bring more lightning which could cause further issues.

paNOW will have updates on the fires and communities as they become available.

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Saturday night at Neimeben Lake

Posted by Jill Biblow on Monday, June 8, 2015

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim

by James Bowler

VIDEO: Wildfires continue to put stress on northern communities

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