Wildfire situation escalating in northern Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment is recommending no non-essential travel to the La Ronge area due to “extreme wildfire hazards” in the northern part of the province.

The ministry issued the recommendation on Thursday for the La Ronge area, which includes Air Ronge, Sucker River, Wadin Bay, Stanley Mission and Nemeiben. The ministry is also recommending no non-essential travel north of La Ronge and people already in these areas are encouraged to relocate to a safer community not threatened by the current wildfire situation, the environment ministry said in a statement.

There are several fires in the La Ronge region that may pose smoke and fire risks to the area and surrounding communities, and sudden changes in wind direction could potentially result in evacuation, the ministry warned. As of Thursday, there were 31 wildfires burning in northern Saskatchewan. Over the past two days hours, 14 fires were declared out and 12 new fires have been reported.

So far this year, there have been 394 wildfires, compared to 175 at this time last year. Lightning has been the primary ignition source for new fire starts this year.

The environment ministry, in consultation with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, has issued a fire ban effective immediately on all open fires for all provincial forests, and for all provincial parks and recreation sites located within these forests. The ban includes and applies to the Canwood, Fort à la Corne, Nisbet, Northern, Porcupine and Torch River provincial forests.

“The area has been drying out significantly since the last rainfall, leading to potentially hazardous wildfire conditions,” the ministry warned. “Currently, there is increased risk from active wildfires and smoke conditions especially in the area of La Ronge, including Missinipe, Sucker River, Wadin Bay, Nemeiben Lake, Black Bear Island Lake, Besnard Lake, Hall Lake, Clam Lake and Egg Lake. Active fires and fire hazards increase the potential for evacuations and effects on people with health conditions.”

The fire ban will remain in place until conditions improve and the Ministry of Environment rescinds the order.

Another view from the top of the La Ronge Regional Fire Hall. #LRRFD #forestfires pic.twitter.com/TKwvr9nyTQ

— La Ronge EMS (@LaRongeEMS) June 25, 2015

View of one of the #forestfires west of La Ronge CYVC around 3:15 pm this afternoon pic.twitter.com/BkqiVnSyb0

— Sean Barry (@quasistationary) June 25, 2015