(File photo/Government of Saskatchewan)

By Logan Lehmann

Wildfires

More fire bans issued as wildfires continue to pop up

May 13, 2023 | 1:33 PM

As the hot weather continues, wildfires keep popping up in our province leading to more fire bans across Saskatchewan.

As of Saturday, the province said that there are 35 fires currently burning with 19 deemed contained, four uncontained, and 12 under “ongoing assessment”. This brings the total number of wildfires this season to 139, just over double the five-year average for this time of year.

The largest fire in the province was one of the first to be recorded and is still burning. The Vermette fire covers more than 26,000 hectares and sits 21km southeast of Dillion near Buffalo Narrows. Another fire in the area, named Shaw, is the second biggest at just under 10,000 hectares in size and is 31km away from the Vermette fire. The Shaw fire is posing no threat to surrounding communities, sitting south of Buffalo Narrows and 31km northwest of Île-à-la-Crosse.

As of May 13, 35 wildfires are currently burning in Saskatchewan, four of which are deemed uncontained.

However, smoke in the area has led to the province issuing a critical air quality alert for the area including places like Buffalo Narrows, Île-à-la-Crosse, and Beauval. With that alert, strict fire bans are in place not just in the northwest, but across north central Saskatchewan.

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See below an updated list of the fire bans including towns, rural municipalities, as well as some fire restrictions.

Urban Municipalities under fire bans

Air Ronge

Battleford

Big River

Blaine Lake

Candle Lake

Canwood

Chitek Lake

Christopher Lake

Cut Knife

Edam

Elk Ridge

Hafford

Jans Bay

La Loche

La Ronge

Meadow Lake

Meath Park

Paynton

Shellbrook

Turtle View

Wakaw

Urban Municipalities under fire restrictions

Porcupine Plain – No fires except the approved cooking appliances and fire pits with a screen.

Rural Municipalities under fire bans

R.M. of Arborfield

R.M. of Battle River

R.M. of Beaver River

R.M. of Bjorkdale

R.M. of Blaine Lake

R.M. of Britannia

R.M. of Buckland

R.M. of Buffalo

R.M. of Canwood

District of Lakeland

R.M. of Douglas

R.M. of Duck Lake

R.M. of Eldon

R.M. of Fish Creek

R.M. of Garden River

R.M. of Grandview

R.M. of Hillsdale

R.M. of Hoodoo

R.M. of Invergordon

R.M. of Leask

R.M. of Loon Lake

R.M. of Mayfield

R.M. of Meadow Lake (includes Flying Dust First Nation)

R.M. of Medstead

R.M. of Meeting Lake

R.M. of Meota

R.M. of Mervin

R.M. of North Battleford

R.M. of Paddockwood

R.M. of Parkdale

R.M. of Paynton

R.M. of Porcupine

R.M. of Prince Albert

R.M. of Redberry

R.M. of Reford

R.M. of Rosemount

R.M. of Rosthern

R.M. of Round Valley

R.M. of Shellbrook

R.M. of Spiritwood

R.M. of St. Peter

R.M. of Three Lakes

R.M. of Tisdale

R.M. of Tramping Lake

R.M. of Turtle River

R.M. of Wilton

Rural Municipalities under fire restrictions

R.M. of Cut Knife – Contained Firepits and incinerators are allowed. No outside burning in an open pit.

R.M. of Frenchman Butte – All open burning except for recreational campfire and BBQ’s as long as there is supervision and a fire extinguish plan.

R.M. of Manitou Lake – Campires allowed with mesh screen.

R.M. of Mariposa – Propane Firepits and BBQ’s allowed.

R.M. of Perdue – Campfires, BBQs and approved Incinerators.

R.M. of Pleasantdale – Barbeques and camp stoves are permitted.

For an updated map on fire bans in the province, click here.

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann