A general evacuation order has now been issued for the community of Pelican Narrows as a result of smoke from wildfires in the area.

About 500 residents from Pelican Narrows and Birch Portage received evacuation orders on Tuesday, but the government now says it expects an additional 1,100 people at shelters in Saskatoon and hotels in Prince Albert.

The government says about four fires are burning near the only access road to Pelican Narrows and other communities in the area.

About 500 health-priority patients arrived in Saskatoon on Tuesday night by bus and are staying at the Henk Ruys Soccer Centre.

“I was scared because my son is only three months and he's coughing,” Karalyn Michel told CTV News when she arrived in Saskatoon from Pelican Narrows.

“I'm just worried about my kids… it's pretty bad and hopefully we can go home soon.”

Health-priority patients are at a higher risk when it comes to smoke exposure. They include people with respiratory issues, babies, children, elderly people and pregnant women.

Emergency Social Services is working to find shelter for the additional 1,100 people, since the soccer centre is set up to accommodate 600.

Some evacuees are staying with friends or family members, while others are being are being housed in congregate shelters. Those with more serious health concerns, like people on dialysis, will stay in hotels, according to Emergency Social Services provincial coordinator Diana Valentine.

“There is a threat to their access from wildfire, the highway may be crossed and closed from wildfire, and there is also the possibility of having heavy smoke move into the community, which will impact their health-priority patients,” Valentine said.

Emergency Social Services is working with the Red Cross, heath ministry, Salvation Army and other organizations to coordinate shelter, food, clothing, hygiene products and other necessities for evacuees.

The agencies are working to ensure families who typically live in the same household or to whom daily care is provided are evacuated together.

The resort community of Jan Lake has declared a state of emergency due to smoke concerns from the wildfires. The province says most of the Jan Lake community is seasonal residents, but 15 permanent residents will self-evacuate, which means they will stay with friends or family and won’t require other provided shelter.