(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Forest fires

Sweltering conditions prompt province and local RM’s to issue fire bans

Jul 2, 2021 | 12:31 PM

As temperatures remain well above 30 degrees Celsius, concerns about possible grass and forest fires are growing.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has issued a provincial fire ban for Crown lands and provincial parks, effective immediately.

The fire ban includes camp fires, controlled burns, and fireworks. The Rural Municipalities (RM) of Prince Albert and Buckland have also issued similar bans, as well as the RM’s of Paddockwood, St. Louis and Spiritwood. The same applies for the District of Lakeland, Resort Village of Candle Lake, Village of Christopher Lake and Prince Albert National Park.

As of Friday morning, there were 17 active wildfires across the province. During a press conference Friday morning, the SPSA’s Vice-President Operations Steve Roberts said the two largest fires are located near the Cigar Lake mine, and 45km. west of Buffalo Narrows.

All non-critical staff at the mine have been evacuated as a precaution, and there has been no reported structure loss.

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“Current operations continue to protect mine infrastructure and there are operations to burn off critical fuel in the area to prevent the fire from re-approaching the mine site,” Roberts said.

The other fire west of Buffalo Narrows, has grown to over 3,300 hectares in size. While there’s been no structure loss, Roberts said localized smoke is expected in the community beginning Friday night and into Saturday.

He also explained a number of different provincial resources are being used to fight both fires including air tankers, ground crews and heavy equipment.

To date this year, there have 202 wildfires, which is slightly above the five-year average of 195.

According to Environment Canada, there is a 60 per cent chance of rain for the Prince Albert area Friday evening and after midnight. There’s also a risk of a thunderstorm.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell