A wildfire came just metres away from destroying dozens of homes in a northern Saskatchewan community this week.
An aerial video shot by Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band shows a charred forest where flames nearly reached houses in Sikichew Lake.
“Potentially we could have lost this whole community if not for the incredible work of the firefighters and the Wild Fire Management Team,” the video’s description reads on YouTube.
Wildfires have been burning in northern Saskatchewan for several days. Over 1,000 people have been forced from their homes, numerous communities have been evacuated and flames have destroyed one house and 12 cabins.
A total of 41 wildfires were burning Wednesday.
Flames that nearly hit Sikichew Lake were part of the Egg fire — located in the Egg and Besnard lakes area west of La Ronge. The fire, which has so far charred 22,000 hectares, is one of four that fire crews are struggling to contain. Another, the David fire, has burned 47,000 hectares in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Cook-Searson said in an email Wednesday that the fires are no longer a threat to any Lac La Ronge communities but that the evacuation orders are still in effect because of air quality concerns.
Officials are expected to meet Wednesday night to determine if evacuees can return home.
