Wildfire update: McLeod asks for help from Feds

REGINA - According to the latest Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency wildfire update, a request for assistance has been made to the Feds.

Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod has sent a letter to the Federal Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Public Safety Eleanor Olszewski, requesting the following resources: 

Type 3 fire personnel, up to 300, that can be utilized for wildfire mop up operations, and logistical support, lodging, food and transportation may be required for those deployed;

Medium and intermediate helicopters for bucketing and crew movement;

Value Protection kits - sprinkler and hoses for structure protection in various communities;

Water tenders / water haulers for assisting with wildfire mop up and fire mitigation in various communities. 

As of 11:00 a.m. Wednesday there are 50 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those four are categorized as contained, 14 not contained, 14 are ongoing assessments and 18 are listed as protecting values. 

Eleven communities are currently under an evacuation order: Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge, La Plonge Reserve, Northern Village of Beauval, Northern Hamlet of Jans Bay, Patuanak/English River First Nation, Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Northern Village of Pinehouse, Canoe Lake Cree First Nation/Canoe Narrows, Île-à-la-Crosse, Resort Subdivision of Cole Bay and Resort Subdivision of Little Amyot Lake.