PRINCE ALBERT - Thursday marked a major day in the effort against the northern wildfires as many evacuated residents return home.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency states on their website that the following communities are repatriating today: Hall Lake, Brabant Lake, Nemeiben Lake, Sucker River, Wadin Bay, English Bay, Sikachu, Clam Crossing, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, La Ronge, Air Ronge, Napatak, Eagle Point, Lamp Lake, Rabbit Creek, and Potato Lake.
As well, Stanley Mission Priority 1 and 2 individuals are returning today as well. The Resort Subdivision of Ramsey Bay is due to return on Friday.
That leaves the following communities still under an active evacuation order: Creighton/Denare Beach/Jan Lake, Cumberland House for Priority 1 and 2 individuals, East Trout Lake, Lower Fishing Lake, Narrow Hills Provincial Park, the Resort Village of Whelan Bay and Sturgeon Weir.
In total 34 communities have repatriated or are in the process of repatriating, according to the SPSA.
As for the current fire situation:
The SHOE fire near Lower Fishing Lake is 550,663 ha and not contained.
The JAYSMITH fire northeast of Missinipe is 165,328 ha and status is listed as protecting values.
The PISEW fire west of La Ronge is 181,765 ha and not contained.
The WOLF fire west of Denare Beach is 130,822 ha on the Saskatchewan side; the full fire on the Saskatchewan and Manitoba sides is 135,490 ha.
The PELICAN2 fire northeast of Pelican Narrows is 40,580 ha and not contained.
The DITCH02 fire north of Weyakwin is 174,000 ha and not contained.
SPSA officials were not available for the daily briefing with media as they were on the ground dealing with the repatriation efforts. However, they did issue a news release with an update on the situation and those details are as follows:
According to the SPSA update, as of 11 a.m. there are 23 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those three are categorized as contained, six are not contained, 12 are ongoing assessment and two are listed as protecting values.
Saskatchewan has had 258 wildfires this year, well above the five-year average of 147 to date.
Of these fires, approximately 44 have been caused by lightning. The rest are human caused and SPSA has categorized them as the following::
- Recreation: caused by people or equipment engaged in recreational activities such as fishing, picnicking, hiking or quadding.
- Resident: from activities performed by people or machines for agriculture or an accidental fire caused by activity associated with normal living in a forested area.
- Industry: caused by an industrial activity such as land clearing, harvesting or power distribution.
- Incendiary: a device used to cause a wildfire for the purpose of mischief, also called arson.
SPSA says most of the human-caused fires are accidental. They believe approximately 30 fires have been intentionally set. People are encouraged to call CrimeStoppers or the SPSA at 1-855-559-5502 to report those individuals.
The SPSA confirms over 290 values have been lost in the wildfires, a number that could increase to over 400 as damage continues to be assessed.
SPSA says the provincial fire ban remains in effect for the area north of the provincial forest boundary up to the Churchill River, and includes provincial parks, provincial recreation sites within the boundary and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. The prohibition continues on the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs), any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks.
