Media were briefed again Tuesday on the ongoing wildfire situation in northern Saskatchewan.
While conditions in the north were still described as “fairly dire” according to Duane McKay, commissioner of emergency management and fire safety, Government Relations, he did say there was “a significant increase in resources moving into the area which should help us stabilize the situation there.”
Smoke is still a significant issue and 54 communities have some sort of evacuation going on.
Monday saw an increase in resources from the military with 450 soldiers in Prince Albert and taking training. Deployment was expected in the next 24 hours according to McKay.
Strong support was expected from municipalities and those were being co-ordinated through district operations centres, one in Buffalo Narrows and the other in La Ronge.
There were 113 active fires in Saskatchewan as of Tuesday, including six new fires.
The majority of the large fires have been stable over the last 24 hours and have not grown. They had not encountered any further structure loss, said Steve Roberts of the Ministry of Environment.
As for new fire starts, a couple of those key new fires were managed by their air groups and ground crews, and “were 90 per cent contained or 100 per cent contained even though they were direct community threats,” said Roberts.
The Egg fire north of La Ronge is described as the “number one concern” because it is a direct threat to La Ronge, Roberts said. With the Eli fire extensive work had been done already protecting the two communities affected (Wadin Bay and Sucker River). Also of concern is the fire within two kilometres of Pinehouse.
As of Tuesday morning Social Services was reporting North Battleford was housing 385 evacuees, Saskatoon 2,661, Regina 826, Prince Albert 2,764 and Cold Lake, Alta., 684. The total registered in their care is 7,320.
