The number of northern residents staying in evacuation centres in Saskatchewan is expected to reach five-thousand on Canada Day.

More people were moved from their communities yesterday including Pinehouse.

About 500 were transported out yesterday and another 300 were expected today.

Officials with the provincial government gave another information update.

Executive Director of Wildfire Management Steve Roberts says the number of people on the ground working the fire lines has reached nearly 600.

He says the number of aircraft being utilized is also on the rise.

“Over 40 helicopters, 19 air tankers, we now have aircraft from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and a crew is enroute from South Dakota to assist us as well”.

Roberts says one area of concern is Pinehouse and heavy equipment has been sent there to work with local crews.

He says at the Mack fire in the La Loche area, a back burn is now in place between the fire and the town.

La Ronge Mayor Thomas Sierzycki says this morning the Egg fire was still about 12-kilometers north of the town, which is what officials expected.

Crews are expected to make significant progress on it and a cut line against the community is nearing completion.

The mayor says a plan is in place to ensure utilities are not disrupted in the area.

Town officials have met with representatives of Sask Energy, Sask Power and Sask Tel to ensure a plan is in place, in case it is needed in the community.