By Alex Soloducha

VIDEO: Political leaders taking to social media to update La Ronge evacuees

Jul 4, 2015 | 9:34 PM

The biggest evacuation of the north this season is enough to have thousands of people in a panic, but leaders are updating the public and assuring them the situation is to be dealt with calmly.

A mandatory evacuation of the town of La Ronge and general evacuation of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and Air Ronge means another 7,000 plus evacuees have to make the trip to the southern half of the province.

Mayor of the town of La Ronge Thomas Sierzycki has been tweeting updates throughout the night, since the overall evacuation was announced in the early evening.

He said the fire has gotten as close as 3 km away from the town, but fire crews are working to diminish the threat. He also reminds evacuees to remain calm, though the situation seems extreme.

“There is ample time to leave the community,” Siersycki posted to twitter at 3 p.m. “This has been ordered for cautionary purposes and please be considerate of all those involved.”

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At 7 p.m. Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson stepped up the urgency. “We need all People in the La Ronge area to make their way to the JRMCC in a safe and orderly fashion, and be ready to evacuate,” she posted.

Now the threat has increased, with the evacuation mandatory since 8p.m. based on recent fire activity as close as the airport north of town, according to Cook-Searson. Ground crews are working the fire lines there. 

La Ronge Fire Situation Update (July 4/2015 8:00pm) pic.twitter.com/P4Hj32QEuz

— Thomas Sierzycki (@TSierzycki) July 5, 2015

Even Premier Brad Wall has taken to twitter to address the fire situation in La Ronge.

“Spoke w/ @pmharper, thx for commitment of Canadian Forces to support La Ronge, Air Ronge & Lac La Ronge Indian Band evacuations. #skfir,” he posted at 4 p.m.

Around 9 p.m. he sent a reassuring tweet on the evacuation progress, with the majority of residence having fled the La Ronge area. 

Approximately 75% of evacuation completed. Thanks to all for this remarkable progress.

— Brad Wall (@PremierBradWall) July 5, 2015

The effort has turned to many different sources of help, enough to make the whole province breath a synchronized sigh of relief.

“Thanks also for what La Ronge describes as overwhelming support from Fire Depts including RM of Buckland, Stoon, PA Nat’l Park and Warman,” posted Wall after 9 p.m.

Police and security services will be patrolling through the evacuated areas throughout the night.

For evacuees:

-If you need help travelling south, go to The Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC).

-Travel with caution on Highway 2 as visibility is reduced due to heavy smoke and there may be small spot fires

-New evacuees to Prince Albert must go to the Margo Fouriner Center (1211 1st Ave West) if you require assistance from Red Cross.

-The hospital is now located at the EMS Base on Highway 2. Call 911 if you require emergency medical assistance. 

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paNOW will continue to update on this developing story.The next briefing is set for Sunday morning. 

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha