Watch above: About 700 people in northern Saskatchewan have been forced from their homes as crews battle wildfires. Joel Senick has an update on the situation that worsened with dry lightning strikes over the weekend.
LA RONGE, Sask. – The smoke from forest fires in northern Saskatchewan is affecting air quality. Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement Monday for some northern areas of the province.
According to officials, visibility of one mile or less has been reported at the La Ronge airport.
The Lac La Ronge Indian Band declared a local emergency Sunday as a result of the fires.
“Over the weekend, we saw a significant storm move through the northern part of the province creating some dry lightning strikes and that resulted in several fires burning,” said Steve Roberts, Saskatchewan Wildfire Management branch executive director.
Evacuation notices were issued Monday for elders, people with chronic respiratory illnesses, expectant mothers and children under the age of two living in the communities of Stanley Mission and Sucker River due to the heavy smoke.
At least 101 people have been evacuated from two communities near La Ronge. Most of the residents of Clam Lake Bridge and Sikichew Lake were taken to Prince Albert on Saturday.
Smoke from the fires is also affecting the air quality in Winnipeg.
READ MORE: Faraway forest fires make skies hazy in Winnipeg
As of Monday morning, 28 wildfires were burning in the La Ronge region, with 12 burning out of control and another 10 still to be assessed. Most were caused by lightning strikes,
There are currently 47 forest fires burning in the province. So far this year there have been 335 wildfires, well above the 151 from the same period last year.
Joel Senick contributed to this story
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