Military, local volunteers join the effort

In the province’s conference call Wednesday with media, Duane McKay commissioner of emergency management and fire activity with Government Relations confirmed 113 fires are still burning in Saskatchewan, 23 were not contained, eight fires were declared out and seven were new starts.

Of the 113 fires, three are over 100,000 hectares, 11 over 10,000 and 32 over 1,000.

Those are not fires that can be surrounded by crews according to Steve Roberts of the Ministry of Environment.  It’s about “strategic alignment of our firefighting resources.”

In total, 592 fires have been recorded in Saskatchewan this year. Last year the number was 213 by this point.

The Egg Fire threatening La Ronge is currently listed at 91,000 hectares. The Eli Fire north of La Ronge (Wadin Bay, Sucker River) is listed at 2000 hectares. The fire at Montreal Lake is 2,200 hectares. The fire near Pinehouse is at 81,000 hectares and has also been held outside the community boundaries.

Power has been restored to the town of Pinehouse as of 7 p.m. Tuesday.

There has been no loss of property in the previous 24 hours.      

With respect to when people can return home, McKay says the criteria are: no fire threat, the amount of smoke not a health risk, local health officials would have to agree there is no danger posed and that medical staff is in place for those people returning. Also factors are safe, potable water supplies and utilities such as telephone and power. 

A large contingent of military personnel had arrived and started to be deployed as of Wednesday. According to Roberts, 600 people have been engaged already and they will be joined by 360 troops going to the Weyakwin-Montreal Lake area and the La Ronge area.

Of the military, McKay reports “morale is high and they’re anxious to go to work.” 

Also helping the effort are wildfirevfighters from Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and South Dakota.

A call has been put out by Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of Lac La Ronge First Nation for 250 volunteer firefighters to help in the firefighting effort. The Saskatchewan government is providing administrative support.

The reason for the volunteer firefighters, McKay notes, is the military is not going to be there forever, and he noted the fires were going to go on for a long period of time.  

Karri Kempf of Social Services reported Wednesday that 400 evacuees are staying at North Battleford. The evacuees are from the La Loche and Turner Lake areas and are staying in local hotels.    

The total number of evacuees receiving support from Emergency Social Services is 7,868. Of those, 3,154 are registered in Prince Albert, 858 in Regina, 2781 in Saskatoon and 675 in Cold Lake, Alberta. Those in Cold Lake are staying at the local hockey arena, the Energy Centre.

North Battleford Fire Chief Albert Headrick told the Regional Optimista crew of personnel and fire equipment from North Battleford and Battleford had left the community this morning to fight the fires in the La Ronge area. The convoy of personnel and equipment left shortly before 7 a.m. and arrived at their destination during the noon hour.

North Battleford and Battleford are sending five personnel each. Headrick says that includes two mechanics and three emergency medical technicians.

The equipment being deployed includes the No. 3 engine and half-ton support unit from the Town of Battleford, while North Battleford has supplied engine 22, a wildland unit and a tanker. Both departments are well equipped and well staffed and any confirmed grassfires and structure fires in the two communities would prompt an automatic response from both departments.

According to McKay, the firefighting efforts are being co-ordinated out of Prince Albert,  so firefighters and equipment would gather there and be given their assignment, based on their capabilities and what is required. More than 60 communities are sending people or equipment to help the effort.