Despite improving air quality in the La Ronge area, local and provincial officials are telling forest fire evacuees to remain where they are for now.
Five new fires were started by lightning yesterday, while 11 were put out. The provincial total is 41, but only four of the fires are not contained — two near La Ronge and two near Buffalo Narrows.
The number of people forced from their homes because of forest fires in the province is now 1,146. Most of the evacuees have left because of health concerns caused by the heavy smoke.
The area of biggest concern is near La Ronge, where a fire about 230 square kilometres in size is burning less than 20 km away from the community.
Steve Roberts, the executive director of Wildfire Management, says the fire has caused property loss. He adds they are getting a handle on it.
“It is not contained.” he says. “But we have been able to put crews on that fire. We have airplanes working and we are bringing in more heavy equipment.”
At least 12 cabins and one home have been destroyed by fires in northern Saskatchewan this year. Hundreds of people are being housed in shelters or hotels in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
The Social Services ministry is coordinating the effort. Ministry spokesperson Carrie Kemps says the same question is on everyone’s mind.
“Everyone likes to be at home,” she says. “And some of these families have family members who remain at home, because most of our group are the priority health evacuations and their caregivers and they just want to know that their community is OK and the people remaining there are OK.”
Haze from Saskatchewan forest fires has drifted as far away as Winnipeg and the heavy smoke is still the biggest concern for many communities in and around La Ronge, as well as the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Merve Tippe with Saskatchewan Health says the situation is improving.
“The air quality is most areas is improving,” he says. “What’s happening now is the heavier smoke is remaining aloft.”
Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson says it’s unclear what the weather will do — and the two main fires that are generating most of the smoke are still not under control.
“The air quality is a lot better in La Ronge and area,” she says. “But it’s very unpredictable, the weather patterns are very unpredictable right now. And with the fires not being contained yet, we’re not able to make a decision on the return home of our members. We can’t guarantee the safety from the smoke for our community members.”
The chief says there be another meeting with Wildfire Management officials early this evening — and medical health officers will be present to give their opinion.
All the evacuation registration centres in La Ronge, Sucker River and Stanley Mission are now closed, but anyone who wants to voluntarily leave at this point can contact Kyla McKenzie at 425-5511 or 425-7984 to register.
Residents of the Clearwater River Dene Nation who evacuated on their own have now been told it is safe to go back home.
Meanwhile, the road to Sikachu Lake and Clam Lake Bridge remains closed because fire crews are still battling the Egg Fire in that area.