An evacuation order has been issued for the Hamlet of Crutwell and homes north to Highway 3 due to a wildfire that is threatening the community.
An emergency alert issued just before 4 p.m. Monday afternoon said people in the Hamlet of Crutwell must evacuate immediately.
Individuals that can self-evacuate were being told to leave through Highway 3 to the Shellbrook Senior Hall on the corner of Railway Ave and Main Street in Shellbrook to register and receive further instructions.
Anyone requiring assistance to evacuate was instructed to call (306) 747-2178.
Wildfires continue to burn in the RM of Shellbrook southwest of Holbein.
According to Saskatchewan Environment, the wildfire forcing the evacuation is the 1,500-hectare Rally fire south of Holbein. The ministry says at one point, a fire guard was completed on three sides of the fire and down to the North Saskatchewan River. However, the blaze breached the fire guard on the east side of the fire this afternoon.
As of 4:30 p.m. Monday, the fire was five kilometres away from Crutwell.
At last word, Wildfire Management had bulldozers, helicopters and air tankers working on the blaze.
Residents of Holbein and residents along the south of Highway 3 between Holbein and Crutwell have NOT been ordered to evacuate at this time, but they are being told to remain on standby and to prepare for an evacuation should one be issued.
(PHOTO: Forest fire south of Holbein. Photo courtesy of Randy Hoback, Twitter.)