Camping is growing in popularity in Saskatchewan.

By Dominick Lucyk/CKOM News

May long weekend camping continues through fire bans, bizarre weather, COVID restrictions

May 21, 2021 | 10:20 AM

Wildfires, fire bans, blocked-off highways and cooler-than-average temperatures await campers looking to spend time outside this May long weekend, but many people are willing to soldier through.

A weekend of bizarre weather has been forecast for the province. A wildfire near Prince Albert has also hurt the air quality in the area and forced the closure of Highway 55 north of the city before it reopened Thursday.

Throw in COVID-19 restrictions, and you have an informal start to summer like no other.

Despite those factors, very few people are cancelling their reservations.

Robin Campese, the executive director of visitor experiences with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, said only 27 people had cancelled sites throughout the entire province as of Thursday evening.

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“Saskatchewan campers, they love camping. They are diehards for the most part, so I have no doubt they will be coming out this weekend,” she said.

Terry Kostyna is the mayor of Candle Lake, a popular camping destination about 80 kilometres north of Prince Albert via Highway 55.

Even with the Cloverdale fire still burning, he still expects a fun and safe long weekend.

“We’re feeling pretty good up here. It’s been a busy year with COVID and people using their second homes carefully and safely. We expect that it will be busy again this year,” he said.

He said the air quality in Candle Lake is still good. Getting there also was a challenge while Highway 55 was closed.

“There are various alternate routes that people have been using, and it hasn’t impeded travel at all,” he said.

While Kostyna is glad to welcome campers and seasonal visitors back to the lake, he is still urging caution, both when it comes to COVID and to respecting the fire ban.

“Act safely and responsibly, as (people) have been all through the winter and the spring. People have been amazingly courteous and acting safely. It’s been really good,” he said.

As of late Thursday, there are 207 fire bans in place across Saskatchewan. There are also various weather warnings in the south and central parts of the province.