Hot and dry conditions in much of northern Saskatchewan continue to pose challenges for provincial firefighters.
As of Thursday, there were 132 active fires in the province – an increase of nine from the previous day.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency vice-president of operations Steve Roberts said they are not anticipating any significant changes in the current weather conditions for at least the next few days.
“From a fire perspective, we will likely only see significant relief in the far, far north where the temperatures are going to come down and we’ll have more cloudy conditions in those areas,” he said.
The province is currently battling a number of uncontained wildfires around the north including ones near Dillon, Southend, Stanley Mission and Grandmother’s Bay.
Fires are burning in the vicinity of Highway 2 north, south of La Ronge, and Highways 102, 106, 155 and 904.
The SPSA also says there is a new fire near the McLean Lake uranium mine site which is not currently a threat to the facility.
Residents have been evacuated in the communities of Dillon, St. George’s Hill, Michel Village, Southend, and Grandmother’s Bay.
Residents in the La Ronge and Stanley Mission areas are also on alert to evacuate.
Roberts also said fires burning in Saskatchewan and other provinces are affecting air quality.
“Because of the fire activity both in the province and in our neighbouring provinces, we will see smoke and haze through most parts of the province because of prevailing winds.”
The provincial fire ban remains in effect until further notice.
For more information on the fires and road closures go to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and Saskatchewan Highways Hotline websites.
(PHOTO: There are a number of fires burning around the La Ronge area. Photo courtesy Gerald McKenzie Facebook page.)