Partial screen capture of a map displaying ongoing fires across Saskatchewan (Government of Saskatchewan)

By Elliott Knopp

Northwest Saskatchewan Fires

Fire suppression efforts continue as Buffalo River Dene First Nation and area residents take refuge

Jul 14, 2021 | 2:24 PM

Fire suppression efforts continue in northwest Saskatchewan, as well as many other areas across the province.

After being directed to evacuate early in the week, many residents of St. George’s Hill, Michel Village, Dillon and Buffalo River Dene First Nation have taken refuge in surrounding communities, including Lloydminster.

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) Vice President of Operations Steve Roberts stated the SPSA is offering emergency assistance to some people, but there is also a portion of the population that has fled to destinations of their choosing.

“There are a number of individuals who have evacuated with the public safety agency, and those are in North Battleford. We are aware through the Meadow Lake Tribal Council that other folks who have left those communities are primarily destined for Lloydminster,” Roberts said.

“The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is working with Meadow Lake Tribal Council to provide emergency accommodations, food and other necessities for 48 evacuees in North Battleford. There are also community members being housed in Lloydminster as well.”

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With evacuations seemingly under control in the area, fire crews continue working to protect local infrastructure. Roberts explained the Lock fire impacting those communities is being classified as a high-priority fire, which is currently being addressed with helicopter and air tanker support. The SPSA estimated the blaze to be more than 23,000 hectares in size.

“Crews continue to work with heavy equipment crews to secure those communities in vicinity, there are a number of smaller fires south of that, south of Beauval towards Meadow Lake that we have crews on as well. There are a large number fires in area, but that’s pretty consistent across the northern forest.”

The Strike fire north of Dorintosh is said to take up nearly 700 hectares of forest. There are road closures at the junction of highways 904 and 951, with some smoke issues along Highway 904 west of Jeanette Lake. Crews are working to protect property and infrastructure, and fire guards are being established.

As of the 12:34 p.m. on July 14, there are 124 active fires in the province. Of those fires, 8 are considered to be contained, 26 have crews working to protect property and infrastructure and 31 are still expected to grow in size. 59 fires are still being assessed.

A complete interactive map of the province displaying the state of current fires can be found on the SPSA’s website. Details on current highway notices are accessible by going to the province’s highway hotline website, or by calling 1-888-335-7623.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp