Fire-Related Evacuations Ordered North Of La Ronge
Friday, June 30, 2006 at 13:03
Evacuation orders have been issued in several communities north of La Ronge — the same day the evacuated residents of the Athabasca Basin are being told they can go home.
Elders and those with respiratory problems in Stanley Mission and Grandmother’s Bay are being moved out of those communities.
The remaining residents are on evacuation alert.
Meanwhile, emergency measures officials have told people in Wadin Bay, English Bay and Nemeiben Lake to leave, as well.
The evacuation orders come as Saskatchewan Environment officials keep a close eye on several forest fires north of La Ronge.
Missinipe and Sucker River also have fires nearby.
The fires are playing havoc with area highways. Highway 102 from just north of the La Ronge airport to McLennan Lake has been closed, as has Highway 915 to Stanley Mission.
Town officials in La Ronge are asking local residents to conserve water, just in case it’s needed to fight fires.
The fires started Wednesday evening following thunderstorms in the region.
Saskatchewan Environment says there are roughly 140 fires burning in the province right now — over 80 of them are listed as being out of control.
In Ile-a-la-Crosse, residents were without power for six hours last night after a nearby forest fire destroyed some power poles.
Village mayor Max Morin says the fire also leapt across the main highway into the northern village, and motorists still need to be escorted through the area.
However, the community is not believed to be in any danger from the fire, since it’s on the other side of a previously burnt-out area.
Meanwhile, the 800 evacuated residents of Black Lake, Uranium City, Stony Rapids and Fond du Lac that have been staying in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Lloydminster have been given clearance to return home today and tomorrow. Fire crews have reportedly made great progress on a large fire that had been threatening Stony Rapids earlier in the week.