Sask. wildfires stable, but evacuees stay put: province

Despite some improvement in the fight against wildfires in Northern Saskatchewan, evacuees will spend the long weekend away from home.

The provincial government provided an update Friday morning as three wildfires continue to burn in the area around Pelican Narrows, near the Manitoba border.

“All of those fires are stable we have no reports of any community or critical infrastructure that have been burned by the fire at this time,” said Steve Roberts, head of wildfire management, in a teleconference.

“We’ve also secured the flank of the Preston fire that is immediately is the closest piece to Pelican Narrows.”

According to the province, around 150 personnel are working on the fires, including more than seven pieces of heavy equipment and more than 15 aircraft support.

As of Friday, there are 2,100 evacuees registered with Saskatchewan’s emergency services.

People are coming from four communities including Birch portage, Jan Lake, Sandy Bay and Pelican Narrows, where around 350 people remain in the community.

More than 900 of those have evacuated to Saskatoon, while the rest are seeking shelter in Prince Albert.

Duane McKay, the executive director of emergency management, said access has been restricted to the community of Sandy Bay, where an number of people remain.

McKay said the province sent a truck there full of food staples, such as vegetables and eggs, worth around $4,500.

As of Friday, there’s a fire ban in place for all parks and recreation sites south of the Churchill River. LINK

People are reminded to check Highway Hotline before heading out this weekend ensure routes and destinations are safe.

Due to heavy smoke, Highway 135 north of Pelican Narrows is closed, along with Highway 106 from the junction of Highway 135 to Creighton.