Long weekend weather cooperates with Sask. wildfire fight

Fire crews continue to work to contain three wildfires burning near Pelican Narrows.

“Numerous personnel, heavy equipment like bulldozers,  helicopters and our air tankers are working all three of those fires,” Executive Director of Wildfire Management Branch Steve Roberts told 650 CKOM Saturday.

According to Roberts, conditions are pretty stable as of Saturday morning with no loss of structures or infrastructure.

“When we have an opportunity we will check remote structures, many we go in advance and put sprinkler units up,” he said. “So if the fire was to encroach on those they would be in a much better defendable position.”

If they do discover any docks or cabins that have burned down Roberts said they reach out to the owner to let them know before they go home.

Wind from the west is helping crews attack the flames and get better access because smoke is being blown away from the community, but in a perfect world, rain would be ideal.

Around 2,100 people have evacuated from Birch Portage, Jan Lake, Sandy Bay and Pelican Narrows.

More than 900 of those who have evacuated are staying in Saskatoon.