The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is advising residents to use the Highway Hotline before traveling across the province (Government of Saskatchewan)

By Elliott Knopp

Northwest Fire Update

Suppression efforts continue with fires north of Meadow Lake

Jul 16, 2021 | 4:14 PM

Environmental developments and continual suppression efforts have resulted in several significant updates regarding various wildfires across Saskatchewan.

The Lock fire threatening northwest communities, including Dillon, St. George’s Hill, Michel Village and Buffalo River Dene First Nation continues to receive suppression efforts from air support. It was reported yesterday that the fire had come within 3.5 miles of Michel Village. However, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency vice-President Steve Roberts shared the efforts have prevented the fire from closing any more distance between the blaze and the community.

“Even though we had some wind overnight as a system passed over, that fire actually remained fairly secure, and we have not seen any significant growth in the last 24 hours,” Roberts said. “Crews continue to finish the fire guards around the communities, which was their primary exercise to ensure that we had good guard should the fire move, but those are almost functionally complete now.”

The current size of the Lock fire is said to be 23,290 hectares.

The Strike and Forks fires north of Meadow Lake are being classified as uncontained fires. Emergency crews are still continuing suppression efforts with the assistance of air support and heavy equipment. Highway 904 has reopened after briefly being closed down, and fire guards are expected to be set up on the east side of the area. Roberts advises residents to use the Highway Hotline as the fires are impacting highways in the area.

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“There will be some intermittent highway closures. Be sure to track those on the Highway Hotline. We have the Strike Fire north of Dorintosh, again similar situation, adjacent to a highway,” Roberts said.

“We have put out Sask Alerts, and the intention is to curtail non-essential traffic to the north. Many highways in the northern part of the province will be impacted either directly by fire or by smoky conditions. We’re sending out a general warning and advisory to anyone who’s planning to travel, that could impact again their activities in the north.”

Due to a change in the weather in some areas, winds have shifted from the air currents moving north, to breezes travelling southbound. This change in direction is the reason cities like Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina are receiving smoke in the area. At the same time, this development has led to fire crews having an opportunity to gain a tactical advantage over some fires.

While many regions in Saskatchewan continue to receive hot, dry conditions, some areas have received thunderstorms. These storms have resulted in several new fires that were expected by the SPSA. The new fires bring today’s count to 137 active fires in the province, raising the year-to-date total to 382 fires, an increase of at least 170 compared to the five-year average of 210.

The SPSA continues to provide accommodations food and other necessities for evacuees in North Battleford and other communities.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp