Hundreds of soldiers have arrived and hundreds more are on the way to Saskatchewan to make up positions on the fire lines in Northern Saskatchewan.
The primary objective is protecting La Ronge from a huge fire that has now burned up to the edge of town. That fire is about 600 square kilometers.
Premier Brad Wall and Brigadier General Wayne Eyr held a briefing this afternoon at the provinces emergency operations centre in Regina.
The premier says bringing in the military is not cause for alarm.
”I don’t think people will be panicked when they see the forces because they know things are going as well as they could.” He says. “ But we just need the support of the people to help us on the fire fighting front in the long term and we are grateful they are here.”
General Eyre says it has been more than a decade that the armed forces has been deployed to fight forest fires, but he says, protecting Canadians is what it does.
”I’ve got to say, your Canadian forces and your Canadian Army is extremely proud to be here to help the people of Saskatchewan.” He says. “ Our primary job, our primary mission is to protect Canadians at home and that is why we are here.”
The soldiers are from Edmonton and Shilo Manitoba. They are undergoing fire-fighting training and will be on the fire lines as early as tomorrow. (Tuesday) In total about a thousand soldiers are expected. More will be called in if necessary.
This is the first time the military has been called in to help battle Saskatchewan forest fires since the 1970’s.
There are currently 112 forest fires burning in the province forcing more than 15 thousand people from their homes. The latest evacuees were from La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Many of them are being housed at Cold Lake Alberta others are staying with family or friends. Other evacuation centres have been set up in North Battleford, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina.
Some of the evacuees have already been out of their homes for 10 days, others like a group from Isle a La Crosse were allowed to return home yesterday. This is the largest evacuation in the provinces history.
So far the fires have not resulted in any serious injuries but there is widespread property damage including the loss of 7 structures in Montreal Lake. Amoung them a fourplex.
A house was also destroyed at Hall Lake by a fire that was deliberately set. Wildfire officials are continuing their investigation.