There is little to no smoke over Lac La Ronge on Aug. 7. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

major event

Organizers of Tony Cote Summer Games address wildfire, air quality concerns

Aug 7, 2024 | 3:06 PM

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band haven’t been advised of any heavy smoke or wildfire concerns as they prepare to host thousands of athletes and officials for the Tony Cote Summer Games in the coming days.

That’s according to lead organizer Kevin Roberts, who was disappointed to learn the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs have decided to not send a contingent of athletes because of those reasons. There has been light smoke in La Ronge during the last few days and Environment Canada does have an air quality advisory in place.

“As I explained to them, this is just another day in the North for us,” Roberts said.

“I did have a chance to meet with them yesterday. I explained our situation and the communication process in terms of how we receive reports in terms of air quality and fire situations from provincial officials. I basically tried to calm their fears of a fire. There’s actually no fire in our vicinity. There was a concern for air quality. Of course, as I mentioned to them, sometimes that’s hourly here in the North. Sometimes there’s an advisory going on and sometimes, in a matter of hours, the wind changes and we’re smoke free.”

The current air quality advisory in effect states wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility. It notes air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.

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It advises residents to limit their time outdoors and to consider rescheduling or cancelling outdoor sports, activities and events.

The wildfire situation near La Ronge as of Aug. 7. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)

“We do have emergency plans through the tri-community,” Roberts mentioned.

“We have our overall emergency plan and we also have one at the band level. We have had a couple of major incidents here in the last 25 years or so and, from those, you learn from those experiences and how to prepare to address dangerous situations when they do arise. I don’t think there is any other community in Saskatchewan that is better prepared to deal with emergency and crisis management situations.”

As per the Aug. 7 provincial wildfire report, there are no fires near the tri-communities. There are four wildfires burning approximately 80 kilometers from La Ronge, but they are all currently contained. None of the fires are threatening access to and from La Ronge via Highway 2.

Roberts also mentioned there are no talks in regards to relocating the Games to another community such as Prince Albert. He added opening ceremonies will go ahead Sunday at 4 p.m. at Senator Myles Venne School as planned.

“We are just doing the final touches and preparing for opening ceremonies,” Roberts said.

“We’re expecting a good crowd to come in with athletes, coaches, chaperones, managers, team supporters. With a lot of communities, dignitaries are coming up like their chief and councillors.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com