The weekend saw more wildfires erupt in the province of Saskatchewan, particularly around the La Ronge area, leading to more evacuations.
In a conference call with reporters Monday morning, it was reported by Duane McKay with Government Relations there were a number of fires sparked over the weekend by dry lightning strikes.
Several of those were in the La Ronge area and “did pose a significant threat to communities in that area,” he said, with fire and smoke.
Three communities — Lac La Ronge, Air Ronge and Lac La Ronge Indian Band — are under local states of emergency. The communities of Sikachu and Clam Crossing have been evacuated due to heavy smoke and the fire threat. Hall Lake was also under threat as well.
There was a fire and smoke threat Clearwater, near La Loche, with a number of people evacuated from that area as well from the Clearwater Dene Nation.
There were 49 new fires sparked over the weekend primarily in the areas north of La Ronge, according to Steve Roberts, executive director of the Wildfire Management Program.
This was from a large storm Saturday in which there was “lots of lightning and very little precipitation.”
As of Monday there were 46 active wildfires in the province, and 334 wildfires this season. Last year by this time there were 151, said Roberts.
The David fire southwest of La Loche remains a big concern at 47,000 hectares and is still not yet contained. No evacuations and no structural loss has been reported.
Another fire is reported at Clearwater River, at 128 hectares, which resulted in an evacuation order for a settlement there.
Closer to La Ronge are a number of fires including the one posing the threat to Sikachu and Clam Crossing. As well, there is a fire at Sucker River which is also not yet contained. Some residents of Sucker River and Stanley Mission who are “at medical risk” have been evacuated.
As for where those evacuated have been staying, 175 people were in Prince Albert, mainly in hotels, 400 were in Saskatoon, and140 from Clearwater were staying with friends and family.
