Buffalo Narrows continues evacuation efforts

Hundreds of people are leaving Buffalo Narrows and the surrounding area due to the threat from wildfires.

On Monday night, a convoy of about 150 cars passed through flames on Highway 155. The route was briefly opened by the RCMP to allow people to depart.

Mayor Sandy Ericson said the situation was a bit better on Tuesday due to a change in wind conditions, but the community is still on alert. She said they will continue evacuation efforts.

“We’re working (to ensure) our fire guards are strong,” Ericson said.

Ericson added that many people have property located across the bridge where the fire is raging.

“We’re trying to keep safe our airport back there (as well as the property located across the bridge),” she said.

Power remains off, and cell service in the area is poor, according to Ericson.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is providing accommodations for people forced to flee the community, and the Metis Nation is working with Buffalo Narrows to provide gas for those taking their own vehicles.

“They have to be escorted through the fire in order to get out, because we only have the one road,” Ericson said.

“And if the fire is acting up, we can’t get through. There’s (been) many times — at least twice that I can think of – where people were turned back after they started to go through because the fire flared up. So we have to wait until it’s safe before we can get convoys through.”

Ericson couldn’t say exactly how many people have left the community so far, but she estimated it was around 500, if not more.

“We had one convoy go out last night before the buses left that consisted of 150 cars,” she said. “Mind you, they’re not all from Buffalo (Narrows) because this road is also the only road to Turnor Lake and La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation.”

On Tuesday, SaskTel announced it would waive data overage charges for all customers living in communities impacted by the wildfires in northern Saskatchewan. That change took effect Tuesday and will last until the end of May.

Crews working to restore power

Buffalo Narrows and the surrounding communities lost power on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and crews haven’t been able to restore electrical service.

In an update released Tuesday, SaskPower said that due to extensive damage and safety concerns related to the fires, power will remain off a while longer in Dillon, La Loche, Buffalo River, St. George’s Hill, Michel Village and surrounding rural areas.

“Crews are making very good progress in restoring power to these communities.” said Scott McGregor, the media spokesperson for SaskPower.

On Monday it was announced that 12 power poles had burned down due to the wildfires. SaskPower said most of those poles have since been replaced, but a few more damaged poles have also been found. One pole had a tree leaning on it, while a couple others suffered minor fire damage.

Despite the smoky conditions and potential safety risks from working in an area that’s close to the wildfires, crews are still working and SaskPower said they were hoping to be able to lay down some wiring Tuesday. Others SaskPower workers are still patrolling the area and keeping an eye on the fire.

“We have small patrols and a helicopter patrol to identify if there are any parts of our infrastructure that are at risk of being engulfed with the wildfire,” said McGregor.

As of Tuesday afternoon there was no estimated time of restoration for power in the area, but SaskPower said it was hoping to soon provide a clearer timeline for getting power back up and running.

Another update from the Crown power company is expected Tuesday evening.

–With files from 650 CKOM’s Will Mandzuk