Forest Fire Threatening Northern Highway

Forest Fire Threatening Northern Highway

Wednesday, July 06, 2011 at 14:19

Motorists are being warned that an out-of-control forest fire is expected to cross a northern Saskatchewan highway later today.

Saskatchewan Environment says the four-thousand hectare McAvoy Fire is about half a mile west of Highway 102 in the McLennan Lake area — roughly 40 kilometres north of Missinipe.

The fire started Sunday, but provincial fire centre spokesman Brent Krayetski says the high winds over the last couple of days caused the fire to “take an unexpected run on us”.

He says no communities are in danger, but there are over 50 camps or cabins in the vicinity of the blaze — which is making it a high priority fire for Saskatchewan Environment.

Moderate to heavy smoke conditions are being reported in the area, which is resulting in reduced visibility and air quality.

Motorists are being encouraged to check the Highways Hotline before travelling in that area.

There is another wildfire burning on the other side of the highway — but Krayetski says it is being blown away from the road.