Multiple fires plague northern Saskatchewan

Communities in Northern Saskatchewan are evacuating as wildfires edge closer.

As of Monday, 91 fires were considered active in the province, bringing the year's total to 312. That's more than 100 over the fiveyear average, said Steve Roberts of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.

Thirty-three of the 91 active fires are being suppressed but are considered likely to grow. For another 13, the province's efforts were focusing on protecting property and infrastructure as of Monday morning, a provincial news release said.

A wildfire covering roughly 5,700 hectares as of Sunday in the northwest has forced the residents of St. George's Hill and Buffalo River Dene Nation to leave. Fire crews are fighting the blaze with heavy equipment and helicopter and air tanker support, a provincial news release said.

Community members have taken shelter in North Battleford and Lloydminster, said Joan Hrycyk, the SPSA'S director of emergency and crisis support.

Merle Catarat, who is co-ordinating the First Nation's response, said evacuations began on Saturday. Catarat estimates about 90 per cent of the roughly 600 people living on-reserve have left. He and other band members have stayed behind, keeping watch on neighbours' homes and bringing food and water for local pets.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation was also evacuating its community of Southend on Monday, with residents planning to take shelter in Prince Albert and Saskatoon, according to a video Chief Karen Bird posted on social media.

While fire doesn't present a direct threat to the community, Lac La Ronge Indian Band also issued a voluntary evacuation notice for its community of Grandmother's Bay, band councillor Gerald Mckenzie said.