More than 2,300 people have been evacuated from their homes amid wildfires in northern Saskatchewan.
Four communities – Sandy Bay, Jan Lake, Birch Portage, Pelican Narrows – have declared a state of emergency. As of Saturday morning, the government says the fire situation remains stable around Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay. About 300 people remain in Pelican Narrows, but there is no plan to evacuate these residents from their homes at this time.
A shipment of food and supplies arrived in Sandy Bay Friday night. According to the province, there is not a need for food or clothing donations at this time.
While no structures have been reported damaged, some people in the north fear they will lose their homes.
“If it catches, and there’s no reason to stop it, then there’re going to let the camp burn. (That) is how I feel,” said Cerella Halcrow, co-owner of Hanson Lake Cabins.
Halcrow said three fires have been burning nearby since August 15, and Halcrow and her children weren’t evacuated from Birch Portage until four days later.
“It’s like we don’t have a say in the north,” said Halcrow. “The evacuations are so fast and so quick, and we’re just going to monitor it on a case-to-case basis, whether or not it’s important enough to save.”
Nearly 1,000 people who were forced from their homes are staying in Saskatoon, in hotels or the Henk Ruys Soccer Centre. John Halliday with the Red Cross said there is no shortage of supplies for those at the soccer centre, as emergency social services and the Red Cross are providing daily shipments of water, toiletries and other basic needs.
"We've had the great opportunity to comfort every family that's walked through these doors with personal services (and) food services,” said Halliday. “We're organizing lots of activities for them while they’re here at the centre as well.”
More than 1,300 evacuees are staying hotels in Prince Albert, which is at capacity. The remaining evacuees are staying with family and friends.
The province says almost all its resources are focused on the Pelican Narrows fires at this time.
There are still three uncontained fires burning in northern Saskatchewan and main roads remain closed, but there is no immediate threat to infrastructure, according to the province.
With files from CTV Saskatoon's Mark Villani