Another northern Saskatchewan community is now under a full evacuation order due to growing wildfire danger.
Priority residents of Canoe Narrows, part of the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation located about 350 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, were instructed to leave the community by 7 a.m. CST Wednesday in a Facebook post on Tuesday night by Michelle Morin, a resident and emergency management response co-ordinator.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) expanded the order overnight to include all residents.
This marks the second time Canoe Narrows has had to evacuate this year due to wildfires.
Morin said evacuees are being directed to Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., where registration will take place at the Wingate and Hampton Inn hotels.
Neighbouring Jans Bay remains under a full evacuation order as well due to the nearby Trail Fire, which is burning just south of both communities.
According to the SPSA, there were 49 active wildfires in the province as of 10 a.m. CST Wednesday, with seven considered contained.
The SPSA said 40 firefighters from Australia have arrived to support Saskatchewan’s wildfire response, and another 40 from Mexico are expected later this week. They join crews from across Canada and the United States, including help from Quebec, British Columbia, Alaska, and several U.S. states.
“Saskatchewan is grateful to everyone who has helped with the unprecedented wildfire season,” SPSA vice president of operations Steve Roberts said in a news release. “Thank you to everyone local and abroad for the immense support in the air and on the ground.”
Up-to-date info on active fires, smoke and related topics is available at these sources:
