A photo of the fire ban area for east central Saskatchewan, issued on Oct. 3, 2021. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)

By Brady Lang, CKOM News

Fire ban issued for Sask. East Central regions

Oct 3, 2021 | 6:13 PM

A late-season fire ban is coming to areas in Saskatchewan’s central east.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said the ban covers all provincial Crown lands, including provincial parks. The ban area also includes 4.5 km of the provincial forest boundary.

The hot and dry conditions mean the ban kicks in immediately.

Hunting season leads to more activity, including human-caused fires, according to SPSA Vice President of Operations, Steve Roberts.

“The SPSA encourages all residents, including hunters, to exercise caution to prevent fire starts and for all municipalities to examine the fire risk in their area,” Roberts said in the Sunday press release.

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“It is not uncommon for fires to continue to burn into the fall during warm and dry conditions such as we are experiencing.”

Saskatchewan has 11 wildfires active in the province with several in the new fire ban area.

603 wildfires have been found in Saskatchewan this year to date, more than double the five-year average of 298.

The SPSA is also responding to fires near Hudson Bay with helicopters and ground crews. Smoke may be impacting some surrounding local communities and is asking people to stay indoors at this time.

Environment Canada also released an air quality statement for the Hudson Bay, Porcupine Plan, Pelican Narrows, Cumberland House and Creighton regions.