By Stephanie Froese

Northern Saskatchewan fire downgraded due to weather

Jun 3, 2011 | 12:54 PM

The fire situation in Northern Saskatchewan is starting to look a little better.

Steve Roberts, executive director of the wildfire management program with the Ministry of Environment, said the Wollaston Lake fire rate for the community is being classified as “improving” today.

“We rate it as it’s improving based on we don’t have active fire behavior immediately around the community and it is fire behavior, when it occurs, that is much easier for crews to manage.”

The fire was at a rank five in terms behavior, but most areas are now as low as a one or two. Roberts said some areas still sit at a three which means fire is leaving the ground and moving up into the trees but it is not moving across the tress at a great speed.

At 44 square kilometres, about the size of Moose Jaw, Roberts said the size of the fire hasn’t really changed since Thursday, but cooler weather and wind from the north is making the situation a little better both for the community and for those battling the blazes.

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Still, the fire is still not classified as “under control” as crews are only able to work on the portion of the fire that is the greatest risk.

“To be contained we’d have to ensure that there wasn’t any growth in any direction and that’s obviously not the case here.”

Roberts said they have started constructing a guard along the eastern side of the town, the only side of the town that was without a guard. A guard is basically the removal of anything that would fuel the fire including removing forest area right down to mineral soil, rock or water.

Until there is a complete perimeter around the community and weather is maintaining a low fire behavior, the area is still on high alert. So far there has been no structural loss due to the fire.

The hundreds evacuated from the area still don’t know when they will be returning home.

Even though the situation at this point is improving, Roberts said they have not addressed the smoke issues that could occur. Smoke is one of the primary issues for returning people to the community.

sfroese@panow.com