Wildfire count hits 30 in province due to lightning strikes

Saskatchewan’s wildfire management branch says 15,000 lightning strikes over a 24-hour period sparked 19 new fires in the province this week.

As of Friday morning, there were 30 active fires, 17 of which were listed as “not contained” by the Environment Ministry.

The blazes spread quickly due to conditions brought on by high heat and low humidity, said Steve Roberts, executive director of Wildfire Management.

“Luckily for us, in many of those cases, we were not seeing high winds, so they are not moving very quickly. It was just, basically, the extremely dry fuel that was driving these fires and making them grow in size.”

The Woods fire, which forced hundreds of people to leave the community of Southend in northern Saskatchewan, and the Arthur fire, burning close to Cameco’s McArthur River mine, had not yet been contained.

The Arthur fire is 6,000 hectares. Roberts said crews are working with mine officials to manage it.

The Woods fire, now 5,500 hectares, is burning 13 kilometres away from Southend. Roberts said there had been rain and favourable humidity in the area, which will help crews focused on its western and northern flanks, which would protect the northern access and the town.

The Ministry of Social Services has registered 579 evacuees, 278 of whom are staying at hotels in Prince Albert; 248 others are lodged with friends and family and 49 people are in Saskatoon, spokeswoman Deanna Valentine said. Others are staying at various camps and villages on the lake, she said.

The ministry opened an indoor playground for children in Prince Albert and is hosting a swim outing and bingo evening for evacuees in Saskatoon, she added.

The Border wildfire, burning between Timber Bay and Montreal Lake, had been contained as of Fridaymorning and was 403 hectares in size.

Saskatchewan has recorded 253 wildfires so far this year.