The rapidly escalating wildfire situation was evident for almost everyone in the Battlefords Monday.
The entire community was covered in a haze of smoke from the wildfires all day, with the region among many in Saskatchewan that was under an air quality advisory.
In fact, communities around the province including Saskatoon were experiencing similar conditions Monday, a result of the wildfires still burning in the north.
Officials with the province held a media briefing Monday morning. Steve Roberts, executive director wildfire management from the ministry of environment, said the smoke in the Battlefords area was coming in from northern Alberta.
According to Firesmoke.ca, Roberts said, "most of the smoke is coming from very large fires in northern Alberta, and it is being added to our local smoke in the areas like La Loche and bringing it down as far south as Saskatoon."
He told reporters there was a low chance of precipitation and high temperature and low humidity were expected to continue.
Officials also briefed reporters on the evacuation efforts of those from the northern communities impacted by the smoke.
Emergency social services co-ordinator Deanna Wysoskey confirmed 120 evacuees were being accommodated at a hotel in North Battleford.
"We do have Red Cross and ministry staff on site to support the people," Wysoskey said.
Right now, they have used only one hotel. They are hoping that will be enough but they do have other hotels available if they need to use them, Wysoskey said.
"They don't have a huge amount of hotel space but they do have a bit more than what we're using now," said Wysoskey.
In total more than 1,000 people have been evacuated and are under the jurisdiction of Social Services. Most are staying at hotels and facilities in Prince Albert and Saskatoon.
Wysoskey said there would likely be more people in the next few days and additional facilities would be available.
Also, recreational activities had started at the facilities and hotels to give people something to do.
Right now there are two major fire situations in the province. One involves the area around La Loche, Turner Lake, Clearwater First Nation and Buffalo Narrows on the western side of the province, while the other area is in the vicinity of La Ronge and Lac La Ronge.
Duane McKay, commissioner of emergency management with the ministry of government relations, noted the hot and dry weather continues to "create a very volatile fire situation in the north and we are seeing reports of heavy smoke conditions in all northern communities and even today, we'll see some of that drift into the southern part of the province as well."
All communities in the north suffer from severe smoke conditions. Montreal Lake, Wadin Bay and Sucker River were under a direct fire threat, but no buildings had been lost, due to "strong value protection" efforts as well as efforts of local and provincial fire suppression teams assigned to those areas. There were no direct threats reported in the La Loche area, McKay said.
Communities around the La Ronge area and also the La Loche area have had people moved out due to the heavy smoke conditions.
In all, there are 116 active fires, with more than 47 in excess of 100 hectares as of Monday. That brought the total fires this year to 510.
A buildup of resources from the province and neighbouring provinces have been put together to deal with the situation. The provincial operations centre in Regina is currently operating under a level 3, said McKay, which means they are pulling together significant management resources to deal with the issue and co-ordinate efforts across the province.
The city of North Battleford issued their own advisory Monday, stating residents with respiratory issues should reduce or reschedule outdoor activities until the Air Quality improves. The city also says people should reduce or reschedule outdoor activities especially those who suffer symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath.
