(Submitted photo/City of P.A.)

By Alison Sandstrom

Wildfire Watch

Massive wildfire burning near P.A. 65% contained

May 19, 2021 | 6:03 PM

After a day of cooler temperatures, it appears major progress has been made in the fight against the blaze burning northeast of Prince Albert.

As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Cloverdale Fire is approximately 65 per cent contained, but wind speeds and changing wind direction continue to pose challenges, the City of P.A. said in a media release.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety’s Agency’s website shows the size of the blaze as 3,695 hectares, as of 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Residents living north of White Star Road are now permitted to return to their homes, the city said. They become the first group of evacuees allowed to go back since the first evacuation orders were issued on Monday.

Earlier on Wednesday the city reported it had registered 75 evacuated households. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is providing food, clothing and shelter for approximately 45 evacuees in Prince Albert.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

21h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

21h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

22h ago

The Cecil Ferry remains open 24 hours a day and Ministry of Highways has added extra staff to keep traffic moving.

Highway road closures remain in effect. Please check Highway Hotline for updates.

Cooler temperatures are expected to continue to into the weekend with a high of 6 C on Thursday and 7 C on Friday.

The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) and RCMP continue to patrol all access points and complete roaming patrols to ensure property and public safety in the area, the city said.

Police issued tickets to two people “located unlawfully” inside the perimeter of the Cloverdale Fire overnight on Tuesday, PAPS said in a release. Each ticket totalled $2,000. Police said the man and woman ticketed did not have residences in the area.

A State of Emergency for the City of Prince Albert remains in effect.

Evacuees are reminded to register with the City of Prince Albert if they haven’t done so already, either by calling 306-953-4816 or going directly to the Margo Fournier Centre at 1211 First Avenue West. The Margo Fournier Centre will be staffed until 9 p.m. Wednesday to register evacuees.

Read the full media release on the City of P.A.’s website.

–

panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow