The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency reported May 5 that there have been more than 190 grassfires already this month, and the risk remains high through the weekend.
The agency gave reporters an update on the situation after the northern communities of LaLoche and Clearwater River Dene First Nation began evacuations, mainly due to smoke.
A fire of about 660 acres, known as the Local fire, is burning between the two communities, and up to 3,000 people could be moved south to Regina. However, a number had already self-evacuated so the exact number is unknown.
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Steve Roberts, vice-president of operations, said there have been 73 fires in the north already this year, well ahead of the five-year average of 39.
Thirteen were active on Friday. Of those, four were contained, two were under ongoing assessment and at one, firefighters were concentrating on protecting property. The remainder were uncontrolled.
The Local fire is the main concern in the province, but two others further south are causing concern.
The Rocky Fire north of Smeaton is causing visibility issues on Highway 106. The Saulteaux fire near the Moosomin and Saulteaux First Nations near North Battleford is partly contained but is threatening those communities.
Roberts urged everyone to check for local fire bans and use caution.
Contact karen.briere@producer.com
