Two amphibian tanker planes are on their way to Saskatchewan from Quebec to help fight the wildfires in the north. The Government of Quebec is providing through, along with four pilots and two engineers, through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s executive director of aviation operations, Peter Boniface, says they have the planes for two weeks and can extend that if needed. It’s too early to tell if more resources will be needed, but they are keeping track of what’s available elsewhere. He says across country there is not much available because of the onslaught of wildfires across the west.
As of this morning (Fri), there are 29 active fires in the province and five of them are not contained. There have been 174 fires so far this year, while the five year average is 92. The largest fire is the Shaw Fire at almost 85,000 hectares. It’s near Buffalo Narrows and is southwest of Dillon.
Fire Commissioner and President of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Marlo Pritchard, urges everyone to take extreme caution especially on or near dry grass, or when operating ATVs, using tools, putting out shore lunches and disposing of smoking materials. As well, with the Long Weekend upon us, if you are travelling you should check the Highway Hotline often, because there may be a highway on your route that is closed because of the wildfires. There is a travel advisory in place for Montreal River which is near the Meyak Fire and also around Besnard Lake.
Evacuees from the northern wildfires are staying in three communities further south. Pritchard says they are supporting several individuals and families with emergency support, which includes food, clothing, shelter and other services, with the evacuees in Lloydminster and North Battleford on behalf of Montreal Lake Tribal Council. They come from the communities of Dillon, St. George’s Hill, Michel Village, English River and Patuanak. The SPSA is leading the support for 95 evacuees in Regina from Buffalo River, Île-à-la-Crosse and Jans Bay.
