Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Extreme northern fire hazard leads to provincial bans

Aug 30, 2017 | 2:31 PM

Officials are doing what they can to thwart the threat of wildfires in Saskatchewan. Nipawin Fire Chief, Brian Starkell said extreme fire hazard conditions exist throughout the northeast.

“After talking with forest fire management, we know conditions are extreme and very dry and there is no rain in the forecast,” he said. “We just need people to be safe.”

A fire ban was issued for the rural municipalities of Nipawin, Torch River, the Resort Village of Tobin Lake and the town of Nipawin. A ban was also issued for the Rural Municipality of Buckland.

Fires of any kind, including those within burn permits, and fireworks are strictly prohibited. Starkell said the ban will stay in effect until further notice.

“With the wind we’ve had lately, that could move a fire very quickly. We need to be extra careful,” he said.

The latest forecast from Environment Canada for the province’s northeast calls for sunshine through the weekend and highs of 25 C.  

Environment Canada issued a number of cautionary weather statements about air quality due to fires in the north on Wednesday. The fires also led to voluntary evacuations from the communities of Pelican Narrows, Birch Portage and the resort of Jan Lake.

 

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone