Fires force 9,000 from homes
Soldiers arrive to help fight northern Saskatchewan wildfires
Soldiers started rolling into Saskatchewan on Monday to double firefighting efforts in the north, where about 9,000 people have been forced out of their homes — many for more than a week.
Colin King, with Saskatchewan’s Emergency Management department, said 1,000 military personnel were arriving from bases in Shilo, Man., and Edmonton.
About 600 are to receive basic wildfire training and will likely be on the ground Wednesday alongside another 600 firefighters.
The remaining soldiers are to work in support roles such as helping with equipment and getting food and water to fire crews.
King described the fire situation as “critical” and said people evacuated from more than 50 communities wouldn’t be returning soon.
“The threat has not been reduced in any of those communities. We are advising all community leadership to remain out until it is safe,” he said.
As of Monday morning, the most significant of 112 fires burning in the province was about three kilometres north of La Ronge, one of the largest communities in north.
Residents were evacuated on the weekend from the town, as well as neighbouring Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Fires and thick smoke forced others in the north to start leaving their homes 11 days earlier.
Flames have destroyed about a dozen homes, remote cabins and other buildings in Montreal Lake, Weyakwin and Wadin Bay. One building also burned north of La Ronge.
About 300 square kilometres are burning in what officials are calling high-priority fire zones, about 10 times the yearly average.
Scott Wasylenchuk with the Provincial Fire Centre had some good news, however. An area near La Ronge burned in an old forest fire is acting as a natural barrier and wind was expected to shift flames away from the town.
“Which means some of the fire lines closest to the community won’t be as hot and we’ll be able to get on them and make good progress,” he said.
Premier Brad Wall, who visited La Ronge last week, said he’s glad soldiers are on hand to help and he’s not worried fire will spread into the town.
“Right now we’re in a pretty good spot ... We’re feeling cautiously optimistic after a difficult weekend.”
Nearly 700 evacuees from La Ronge were being housed in Cold Lake, Alta.
The Alberta government had said it was preparing to receive up to 5,000 after centres in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and North Battleford were filling up.