Evacuation orders from Saskatchewan wildfires remain

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Massive wildfires in northern Saskatchewan continue to burn out of control as crews work to protect communities from the flames.

One blaze near La Ronge has merged with another fire and is now more than five times the size of the city of Saskatoon.

Steve Roberts of the Wildfire Management Branch says about 1,300 people with various degrees of training are fighting the fires, including soldiers and crews from outside of the province.

More people who have been forced from their homes over the past few weeks are showing up at evacuation centres seeking help.

Emergency Management director Duane McKay says some community leaders are coming under increasing pressure from some evacuees who want permission to go home.

He says evacuation orders will remain in effect until the fires no longer pose a safety threat.

PHOTO: Members of the Canadian Forces extinguish a hot spot near Montreal Lake,  Saskatchewan. Photo by Master Corporal Mélanie Ferguson, Canadian Army Public Affairs