Saskatchewan’s commissioner of emergency planning says it could be a long wait for people hoping to go back to their homes in northern Saskatchewan. Duane McKay says firefighting crews are doing all they can but people will not be allowed back until the fire threat is over, the air is safe and the water supply is clean. He says the goal is not to put the fires out — but rather, to contain them and to protect communities.
He says bringing in the military will help. McKay also says a call has gone out to hire more firefighters for use throughout the summer.
“I am pleased to let you know that that post went out early this morning and we are already receiving a number of people that are looking to provide services or to get the training,” he says.
McKay says there is no shortage of help coming from all over the province, both from the private sector as well as First Nations and municipalities.
“You might see fire engines in those communities from as far south as Carlyle,” he says. “They are coming from all over. We have very strong support from other areas of the province.”
Redhead Equipment is sending two mechanics to La Ronge to maintain the fleet of vehicles.
Five hundred soldiers from Edmonton are now on the fire lines. Another 500 from Shilo, Manitoba are on standby, waiting to be called in if necessary.
The executive director of Wildfire Management, Steve Roberts, says the most critical factor is the weather. He says it looks like crews will get a bit of a break there. He expects two days of cooler weather with higher humidity.
“Typically followed by a day or two of higher temperatures and lower humidities,” he says. “These are the days we will start to see the fires act up and move. The good news is we will have much better visibility, which will mean we will have access to air tankers to suppress that kind of behaviour.”
More than 13,000 people have been forced from their homes because of the fires, which have affected 54 northern communities.
There are currently 113 fires burning in the province — 23 of them are not contained.