Waterhen Lake First Nation evacuated, Crutwell residents return

Another Saskatchewan community was evacuated because of wildfire Tuesday afternoon.

People were ordered to leave the Waterhen Lake First Nation just before 1 p.m.

“It was very smokey, very thick — you could see the fire across the lake,” said Chief Joanne Roy.

She said about 400 evacuees had registered with the Red Cross by Tuesday evening.

“The urgency is that we only have one entrance and exit from the community and the fire was approximately six kilometres away from our main entrance heading out,” she said.

Roy added evacuees were on their way to Saskatoon. They will be put up at the Henk Ruys Soccer Centre until it’s safe to return.

She says the fire apparently started last Sunday afternoon when a strong wind gust toppled over a power line.

Wildfires prompted other evacuations

Around 2 p.m., an evacuation order was issued for the hamlet of Crutwell and homes north to Highway 3 due to a wildfire threatening the community of around 60 people.

People in the hamlet were told evacuate immediately. That order was lifted at around 9:00 p.m. Tuesday evening.

People living in the nearby community of Holbein, about 30 kilometres west of Prince Albert — and those residing along and south of Highway 3 — were also being advised Tuesday to remain on standby for a possible evacuation if the situation escalates.

Dave Whalley, who lives in nearby Holbein, spoke with Saskatchewan Afternoon host David Kirton moments after the Crutwell order came down.

“It’s unbelievable how the smoke has come up,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “(The wind) has changed a bit, but it’s blowing so much harder now.”

Whally said there are several acreages north of Crutwell being evacuated.

A wildfire burning on the south edge of Prince Albert National Park also became concerning Tuesday.

The province is advising people in the Cookson and Mayview areas, south of the park, to be ready.

People in the area told 650 CKOM the national park fire has breached the southern boundaries, with crews from Lakeland and Shellbrook fighting on the line.

On Monday, another wildfire forced 30 people to evacuate the Waterhen Lake First Nation.