A grass fire on the Muskoday First Nation near Highway 3 could result in the evacuation of up to 10 homes. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Muskoday fire

UPDATE: Fire threatens Muskoday homes

May 9, 2024 | 3:24 PM

UPDATE: According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), the fire near Muskoday is listed as contained.

(Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)

About 10 homes on the Muskoday First Nation could be evacuated Thursday as a grass fire burns nearby.

The fire, which according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency was roughly 40 hectares in size (3pm), originated in a field and was being driven east by winds gusting between 30 km and 50 km/hour. Sarah Bear was forced to leave her home.

“We just started smelling the smoke and looked out and seen smoke and then within minutes it was burning the back of the bush behind our house and then within another couple minutes, it was like right there,” she said.

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A grass fire in Muskoday is being spread eastward by winds gusting up to 50 km/hour. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

Bear lives at the house with her husband and four children, and the oldest three were away at school. They’re now in the process of getting a hotel room.

“It just happened so fast,” she said.

The family’s dog and three cats also made it out okay.

Security personnel said that the fire was being fought by the Muskoday Fire Department but should things get of out of hand, the band has resource sharing agreements with nearby fire departments, such as Prince Albert.

A grass fire in Muskoday is being spread eastward by winds gusting up to 50 km/hour. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

Drivers and the public are being asked to not stop on Highway 3 to watch as that blocks traffic from passing safely.

A funeral procession was also expected through the same afternoon.

Further updates are expected tomorrow.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com