(Kelly Taylor/Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

Wildfire watch

Fort à la Corne fire nears 30,000 hectares

May 18, 2020 | 4:34 PM

A wildfire burning in the Fort à la Corne forest has nearly doubled in size in the past two days. The English Creek Fire is now estimated at 28,800 hectares, according Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).

To give some perspective, that makes the total area of the fire about five times the size of the city of Prince Albert.

In an email to paNOW, an SPSA spokesperson said unfavourable wind conditions were continuing to create challenges for crews fighting the fire.

SPSA Emergency Services Officers have made contact with the R.M. of Torch River, the R.M. of Garden River, the James Smith Cree Nation and the community of Smeaton to advise them of changing fire and smoke conditions.

(Sask Wildfire Management)

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The region has an emergency management office that is working with the SPSA to monitor conditions and keep residents of the area informed. A SaskAlert was issued for the area advising of smoke conditions.

On Sunday, residents of the R.M. of Torch River and the R.M. of Garden River were told to prepare and be ready to take action should an evacuation be required.

The SPSA said none of the communities in the area have asked for further assistance at this time or require evacuation support.

The fire as viewed from Choiceland. (Submitted/Darci Tkaczyk)

Helicopters have been part of the arsenal tackling the ever-growing blaze. Local resident Dale Conn, who lives about eight kilometres from the wildfire, said about five choppers were being stationed and refuelled on his property rather than them having to be flown back and forth to Prince Albert airport.

(submitted/Dale Conn)

(submitted/Dale Conn)

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow