A photo taken July 11 of the Lynx fire west of Stanley Mission. (Sask Public Safety Agency)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fire response

Wildfires force evacuations in Northern Sask.

Jul 12, 2021 | 10:59 AM

Wildfires are threatening several communities in Northern Saskatchewan.

The entire north is under an air quality alert because of heavy smoke and reduced visibility. St. George’s Hill and Michel west of Buffalo Narrows have been evacuated, along with Southend, northeast of La Ronge. A total of 31 people affected by the Dillon area fire are staying in North Battleford, and others have found accommodation in Lloydminster.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) Chief Karen Bird posted a video to social media Sunday night, advising Southend residents of the alert, and telling them there would be transportation provided from the community.

“We have some rooms in Prince Albert and if we don’t have enough, some people may go to Saskatoon,” she said.

Speaking with paNOW Monday afternoon, Bird said the evacuation of roughly 300 people from the northern community went fairly smoothly, however there were some challenges related to securing hotel rooms, and there was also a power outage when people were leaving.

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“A lot of us couldn’t gas up,” she said.

In addition to the people who were transported to Prince Albert, a number of community members sought refuge at their cabins at Reindeer Lake. Bird also confirmed a team of essential workers has stayed behind.

“We have people to set up to take care of the pets, and to make sure the houses are properly locked,” she said.

Evacuated residents from Southend, in need of a place to stay, or with general questions, are being asked to check in at Parkland Hall in Prince Albert. Matthew Okemau was among those there Monday morning, and explained Southend was completely clear the day prior.

“There was a lighting storm Saturday night and the next morning, you could see smoke from different directions. It came fast,” he said.

A map of the wildfire activity around Southend. (Natural Resources Canada)

Monday’s update from the province

There are 91 active fires burning in the province right now. That’s up from three dozen just a few days ago, and is roughly 100 more than the five year average.

Steve Roberts, Vice-President of Operations of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, confirmed during a press conference Monday morning, that some northern areas did receive rain over the weekend, but added two thirds of the province remains hot and dry.

“The [provincial] fire ban will remain in place. We will look if there are opportunities to modify it but likely that would only be in the far northern part of the province,” he explained

The latest evacuations of course occur as the province tries to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Roberts was asked what protocols may be in place, and he explained buses are being well cleaned and families are being kept together.

“Thankfully the province is very much ahead in many locations on vaccine first doses, which will help mitigate some of that risk but it is a factor we are considering,” he said.

A section of highway 102 north of La Ronge to McLennan was at one point closed but has since been re-opened. Roberts said depending on drift smoke, visibility may be limited.

A link to the interactive wildfire map can be found here.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell