Wildfires have erupted again in northern Saskatchewan and travel restrictions and fire bans have been issued in the vicinity of La Ronge.
In a news release Friday, the Ministry of Environment recommended no non-essential travel to the La Ronge area, including Air Ronge, Sucker River, Wadin Bay, Stanley Mission and Nemeiben, or anywhere north of La Ronge.
People already in those areas are being encouraged to relocate to a safer community not threatened by the current wildfire situation, according to the ministry.
The fires pose smoke and fire risks to the area and surrounding communities, and sudden changes in wind direction could potentially result in evacuation.
In addition, the environment ministry in consultation with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport has issued a fire ban effective immediately on all open fires in all provincial forests, and for all provincial parks and recreation sites located within these.
This includes Canwood, Fort à la Corne, Nisbet, Northern, Porcupine and Torch River provincial forests.
Campers in Nemeiben Lake and McKay Lake campgrounds are being relocated to other campgrounds within Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.
The ministry is reporting the area has been drying out significantly and that has led to potential hazardous conditions. The increased risk from active wildfires and smoke conditions is especially in La Ronge, Missinipe, Sucker River, Wadin Bay, Nemeiben Lake, Black Bear Island Lake, Besnard Lake, Hall Lake, Clam Lake and Egg Lake.
All burn notification permits issued to those planning to burn in or within 4.5 kilometres of the provincial forest areas are revoked. Fireworks are also prohibited.
Self-contained heating devices, pressurized stoves or charcoal briquettes used in a ministry-approved firebox are permitted for cooking and heating purposes.
People are also being urged to check if rural municipalities have fire bans in place in rural municipalities in the area. The full list of areas affected is at www.saskparks.net/FireBan.
There are currently 31 wildfires burning in northern Saskatchewan, according to the ministry. 14 fires were declared out and 12 new fires have been reported in the previous 24 hours as of Friday.
So far there have been 394 wildfires, compared to 175 at this time last year, with lightning the primary cause.
