The number of wildfires in northern Saskatchewan continues to grow.
Vice President of Operations with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Steve Roberts, says one of the new fires is the White fire, north of Candle Lake.
It grew quickly and became a threat to the Whelan Bay recreation site and resort community, which is north of Candle Lake.
Roberts notes it’s also impacting Highway 963, but there is no evacuation from that area at this point, although Roberts says people can self-evacuate if they want.
In fact, the SPSA has issued a SaskAlert asking the public to curtail any non-essential travel to the north.
Many highways have been impacted by the fire or by the smoky conditions, reducing visibility.
There are 137 active fires for a total of 382 so far, which is 170 more than the five year average.
Some communities may decide to self-evacuate, so there are no specifics on the numbers, but Joan Hrycyk (her zik) with the SPSA says the province is accommodating 63 evacuees in North Battleford and 8 evacuees from Whelan Bay in Prince Albert.
Power and phone service have been affected.
A spokesperson with SaskTel says about 9 communities and their surrounding areas have been impacted and are without phone services. Lindsay Mazenc says wireless is still available, but with more usage, it is fairly congested.
The communities are Collins Bay, Southend, Stony Rapids, Wollaston Lake, Grandmother’s Bay, Missinipe, Brabant Lake, McLean Lake and Cigar Lake.
Crews are on site, but can only work when it is safe.
Joel Cherry with SaskPower says service has been affected in the Wollaston Lake/Hatchet Lake area, likely by a damaged line.
They have been able to do an aerial survey, but have to wait until it’s safe enough to get close enough for repairs, so there is no estimated time for restoring the power.
Fifty-eight firefighters have been brought in from around Saskatchewan to help the regular crews. Roberts says these are firefighters who normally protect homes and infrastructure as opposed to wildfires.
They are patrolling in the communities while SPSA firefighters respond directly to the wildfires.
Also, a fire plane from Northwest Territories has brought in to help, along with extra pumper engines from Saskatchewan.
