“While we are modifying the current fire ban, the situation is dependent on weather, temperature, soil conditions and overall fire risk.”
Though fires are still raging in northern Saskatchewan, a recent fire ban is being relaxed for parts of the province south of Prince Albert.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) first enacted a provincewide fire ban on July 11. That ban remains in effect for Crown lands, provincial parks, provincial recreation sites, and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District located north of the provincial forest boundary, including the 4.5-kilometre “burn notification area.”
For communities south of Prince Albert, fire bans will now be up to the discretion of municipalities, First Nations, rural municipalities and parks, according to a government news release issued Wednesday.
“While we are modifying the current fire ban, the situation is dependent on weather, temperature, soil conditions and overall fire risk,” stated Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Paul Merriman in the release. “People need to be aware of, and adhere to, all fire bans and burning restrictions placed by municipalities, First Nation communities, rural municipalities and regional parks.”
As of July 17, the SPSA reports 93 fires active fires across the province.
Of those fires, 47 are undergoing an ongoing assessment, which means the fire “is being monitored regularly to assess risk to values in the area.” Another 16 fires are classified as “protecting property,” which means the fire is active and efforts are focused on protecting infrastructure. Nineteen fires are considered contained, while 11 fires are not contained.
Of the active fires, three in particular have been highlighted by the SPSA.
The Davis Fire, which is burning Northeast of La Ronge around Missinipe, is 3357 hectares in size, and has been recategorized from “not contained” to “protecting property.”
The Wilson Fire, close to Creighton, Flin Flon and Denare Beach, is 330 hectares in size and currently being attacked by water bombers, helicopter support and groundcrews. Good “progress is being made on the fire,” according to the SPSA, which estimates 90 per cent of the perimeter is secured. An evacuation alert is still active for the community, reminding residents to be prepared just in case the alert becomes an order.
And heavy equipment is currently building fire guards around the Parker fire, a 723-hectare blaze burning north of Canoe Lake and northwest of Beauval.
Most of the province will see low levels of smoke Wednesday, with the exception of Buffalo Narrows, which is expected to see high risk levels of smoke, according to Environment Canada. There are currently two large fires burning in the area where crews are making efforts to protect property and infrastructure, noted the SPSA. Combined, they have nearly burned 6,000 hectares just north of Churchill Lake.
— with files from Angela Amato
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