Wildfire evacuees straining Prince Albert’s resources
Demand from more SASKATOON than 1,700 wildfire evacuees is putting pressure on the community of Prince Albert and government officials are offering those in P.A. an optional relocation to Saskatoon to try and alleviate the strain.
As a result of three wildfires burning in northeastern Saskatchewan, 2,532 people are receiving support from emergency social services and have been relocated to Saskatoon and Prince Albert. But with almost 70 per cent of evacuees in Prince Albert, government officials are trying to address the “unequal” distribution.
“If we can even those numbers out a little bit, it would provide a little bit more breathing room for the evacuated residents and it would take some of the stress off of the other services that are in P.A.,” said Deanna Valentine, a spokeswoman for Saskatchewan’s emergency social services department.
Evacuees who are open to the move will get support from government, Valentine said, noting evacuees have put pressure on everything from Prince Albert’s health system to area hotels.
“It just adds strain to the whole system and we would like to — if we can — equalize that,” she said.
Saskatoon is currently accommodating 825 evacuees, with 115 at the Henk Ruys Soccer Centre, 182 staying with friends of family and 528 in hotels.
In the north, wind gusts and dry weather presented numerous challenges to firefighters during the weekend.
Steven Roberts, executive director of wildfire management, said two of the three wildfires have grown in size with the third remaining stable.
He said crews continue to focus on the Pelican Narrows area, noting while shifting winds can change a fire’s “dynamic and threat value,” crews have had success, using front-line firefighters and heavy equipment to try to contain the fires.
“The good news is that throughout those wind shifts and throughout the weekend and those hazards, we have been able to successfully manage those key priority areas,” said Roberts.
“As a result, we have not seen an increase in threat in either to those communities or the infrastructure.”
Government officials indicate Highway 106 and Highway 135 remain closed and provincial officials say they’re in regular contact with northern leaders as they try to determine when evacuees can return home.