Wildfire Fight Improving, As Evacuees Get Restless
Friday, June 03, 2011 at 13:13
Fire crews are busy constructing a fire-guard on the east side of Wollaston today.
The move is intended to safeguard that edge of the community which is still threatened by a nearby forest fire.
This morning, officials listed the size of the fire at 4,400 hectares — 200 hectares more than yesterday.
However, fire management director Steve Roberts says cool temperatures and the wind are helping calm things down.
Roberts says the wind is now blowing north, directing smoke away from the community.
He adds no structures have been lost to the blaze, and rain could arrive sometime this afternoon.
However, Roberts is not sure when it will safe enough to consider bringing people back.
The fire is still listed as being out of control.
Meantime, some problems have been reported at the soccer centre in Saskatoon where roughly 675 evacuees are staying.
Numerous arrests were apparently made last night by Saskatoon police, who picked people up for intoxication.
Social Service spokesman Norm Vetter says the government ministry is aware of the disturbances, and is continuing to deploy additional security staff — a process that began last night.
An official with the Prince Albert Grand Council says language barriers seem to be one of the main problems facing evacuees.
Richard Kent explains many evacuees are frustrated because they can’t get answers to the questions facing them.
The PAGC is bringing in interpreters to help alleviate the situation.
Kent says some evacuees arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back.
He also notes that the Hatchet Lake First Nation is a dry reserve and evacuees now find themselves in a large city, which can pose many challenges.