(650 CKOM file photo)

By Will Mandzuk

Power outages in northern Saskatchewan to continue into Tuesday

May 15, 2023 | 3:29 PM

Some communities in northern Saskatchewan were still without power Monday following an outage a day earlier — and the outage is expected to stretch into Tuesday.

On Sunday at 3:30 p.m., SaskPower crews were dispatched to Dillon, La Loche, Buffalo River, St. Georges Hill, Michel Village and surrounding areas after an unplanned power outage occurred.

The outage was caused by an uncontained wildfire that spread two kilometres under a power line. Some 2,500 residents went the night without power and are expected to be without power for at least another 24 hours, according to SaskPower. Another update is expected by 8 p.m. on Monday.

“There is no time for restoration right now but we do have crews assessing the situation,” said SaskPower spokesperson Scott McGregor.

Currently, crews are looking over the damage to power lines and are beginning their repairs. SaskPower has also dispatched a helicopter to conduct patrols so it can get a bird’s eye view of the damage.

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McGregor said outages of this scale are difficult to fix because the communities are far away from where the main resources are in Saskatoon and Regina.

“The distance and terrain play a part in being able to repair the power lines and the fires add another level of complexity,” McGregor said.

SaskPower had hoped that conditions would improve and that no major damage would be done to the power lines, but that was not the case as 12 power poles have burnt down.

McGregor reminded people that if they do see a power line down, they should stand 10 metres back and call either the SaskPower outage line or call 911.

With no power, Noreen Rasmussen was barbecuing on her deck in Buffalo Narrows on Monday morning.

“It’s pretty difficult,” she said of being without electricity. “With no power, you can’t really do anything. My work (at the Ministry of Social Services office) was closed this morning … I’m just not sure how people are managing.”

Rasmussen said she wasn’t feeling well due to the smoke, so she was contemplating leaving town and leaving the nasty conditions behind.

“It’s pretty hazy (and) pretty smoky,” she said. “The air quality is pretty horrible, actually. I feel like I’m getting that sore throat feeling. You can’t see probably 200 feet or 300 feet maybe.”

Rasmussen could hear the water bombers and helicopters overhead as the efforts to put out the fire continued. She said she has been impressed with the community’s response so far.

“This is my first rodeo with evacuation and forest fires,” Rasmussen said. “It seems to be well-organized from what I’ve seen.”

Even so, she admitted she’s a little bit anxious. Her two kids are 13 years old, so their safety is her primary focus.

“This is a whole new experience for them,” Rasmussen said. “I can manage if it was just me, I’m sure, but my kids, it’s a whole new level for them.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker