SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is putting its resources strategically into battling a new fire north of Weyakwin, which, according to SPSA land operations executive director Bryan Chartrand, has been burning aggressively over the last couple of days.
Chartrand, during a media availability on Thursday, said they tried their best to contain the fire, but the intensity and wind conditions made it harder for all crews, which is why they had to pull everyone out for safety. Lightning started the fire, which remains not contained and has affected over 35,000 hectares.
“We're putting them [crews] in strategic locations where we can, where it's safe for our staff. But with these higher winds and dry conditions, this fire is burning quite aggressively. Therefore, we also need to ensure the safety of our staff. Again, no major runs anywhere. The west winds will push it into the ditch, maybe just a bit north of it,” said Chartrand.
The SPSA reported there are currently 56 active wildfires in the province, with six contained and 12 classified as not contained. They are also conducting an ongoing assessment of 21 wildfires and 17 protected values. Saskatchewan has had 362 wildfires so far this year, which is above the five-year average to date.
Chartrand added that the government has already issued a fire ban throughout the entire province, which took effect at 8 a.m. on Thursday, due to high fire activity and an extreme risk of fire. The ban covers the area north of the provincial forest boundary, extending up to the Churchill River. The hot weather and occasional thunderstorms have also contributed to the wildfires.
“The fire ban prohibits any open fires, controlled burns, or fireworks in the designated boundary. We encourage residents to remain diligent in preventing human-caused fires in all areas of the province,” said Chartrand.
He also provided an update on the local state of emergency declared by the English River First Nation on Wednesday, July 9, for the Pachinak community, due to the Muskeg Fire affecting road access to Highway 918.
“With support from the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, priority individuals are being airlifted to Buffalo Narrows and bussed to Lloydminster. At this time, five communities are under an evacuation order due to the Muskeg Fire,” said Chartrand.
“These are the resort subdivision of Lac du Plonge, northern village of Beauval, Lac du Plonge Reserve, Pachinak English River First Nation. We remind the public to please get in touch with their community leaders for next steps in case of an evacuation and to download the SaskAlert app.”
According to Chartrand, they have monitored a slight increase in heat between the Shoe and Ditch Fire. However, there are no concerns because it has burned all the way around and has no place to go. The Ditch Fire has already affected 186,470 hectares.
“We will still monitor it. But again, no concern. However, we can see again on the west side that it did heat up over the last few days. This is where we are concentrating our staff, which is just north of Ramsey Bay. And again, good winds are coming from the west,” he added.
