To date in 2021, there have been 30 wildfires compared to 16 during the same time in 2020. (submitted photo)

By Derek Cornet

wildfire forecast

Fires to date double compared to 2020

Apr 26, 2021 | 12:57 PM

Residents of Saskatchewan are asked to take extra precautions this spring when outdoors as much of the province is either under moderate or high fire risk.

“We ask the public to be cautious when they are out and about, and we can keep the fires to a minimum,” said provincial land operations manager Dennis Trueman. “Especially at this time of the year and with conditions being the way they are and COVID and whatnot, we expect to see a larger influx of people using the forest and forested areas for recreation. We just encourage people to follow the health orders and stay at home as much as possible.”

Trueman explained there were 16 fires at this time last year, while there have been 30 so far in 2021. On average, approximately half of wildfires in any given year are human-caused in Saskatchewan.

While much of the southern-central region currently has a high fire risk, some communities in northern Saskatchewan including La Ronge are moderate. Trueman noted that’s because there is still snow in shaded areas in the North and on the edge of the bush line.

“We’ve seen an increase in fires over the last year at this time, especially south of the provincial forest where there is not as much snow cover,” he said.

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According to Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang, conditions remain dry in much of central and southern Saskatchewan. For instance historically in March, Saskatoon marked its third driest on record and North Battleford was at its fourth. Prince Albert is at its 14^th driest March, while Meadow Lake is at its 17^th driest and La Ronge is at its 23rd.

“Until we see it green up with the plants and the crops and stuff like that, we have that risk of grass fires,” Lang said. “Because of that risk of grassfires, especially when the wind is up, those can be quite dangerous. People really need to take precautions about what they are doing.”

A number of rural municipalities like the RM of Prince Albert have already enacted fire bans, however, La Ronge Regional Fire Department Chief Keaton Cloud doesn’t believe one is imminent for the tri-communities. For there to be a ban put in force, he mentioned there would need to be a long period of dry weather with no precipitation in the forecast and low ground moisture.

This fire in Air Ronge’s Heritage Park was likely human caused. (La Ronge Regional Fire Department/Facebook)

On Sunday, the fire department was dispatched to what was a mostly likely human-caused wildfire in Air Ronge’s Heritage Park. It took firefighters roughly half an hour to extinguish the fire and put out hotspots.

“Every parent needs to educate their children to not play with fire and remind them of the dangers,” Cloud advised. “Adults also need to do their part and properly dispose their cigarettes as well. Never leave fires unattended.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno