WATCH ABOVE: Several hundred people from northern Saskatchewan have come to an evacuation centre in Cold Lake, Alberta. Tom Vernon is there.
EDMONTON — A dangerous situation is unfolding near the community of La Ronge, about 300 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
A wildfire was burning precariously close to the airport in northern Saskatchewan. The fire later passed the airport and spread towards the town, prompting an evacuation.
Overall, there are 110 active wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and about 8,000 people have had to leave their homes. It’s being called the largest evacuation in Saskatchewan’s history.
READ MORE: Fire evacuation largest in province’s history
With the latest mandatory evacuation order, the Red Cross is now providing shelter for around 6,700 people. Evacuees unable to stay with family or friends were being housed in shelters and hotels by the Red Cross.
With space opening up at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, there are 1,500 beds still available in Saskatchewan. Despite that, 700 people from La Ronge were sent to an emergency shelter in Cold Lake, Alta.
“We got evacuated on Friday,” said William Ross. “They told us to get our stuff ready… the fire was getting closer.”
“It’s scary and we left lost of belongings over there… I hope we can go home soon,” Ross added.
READ MORE: Military to help fight Saskatchewan fires
Early Monday morning, roughly 450 military personnel based in Edmonton left for Prince Albert to help in the fire effort.
“It is scary because we have homes there and we are hoping we can go home to our homes and not see it burned,” said La Ronge resident Hazel Fiddler.
Before being moved to the evacuation centre in Cold Lake, her family spent four hours in Prince Albert.
“Halfway there, we seen fire then smoke and it started raining. It looked terrible,” said Fiddler.
She has been keeping up-to-date on the situation by reading posts from the La Ronge Chief on Facebook.
“We all just miss our homes and want to go home soon.”
There is no word on when they might be able to go back.
READ MORE: Thousands of Saskatchewan fire evacuees head to Alberta
La Ronge Chief Tammy Cook-Searson posted the following update on her Facebook page on Monday.
“There are still significant concerns over poor air quality across several Northern Saskatchewan communities due to persisting forest fires. Despite improvements in visibility in some areas, current weather report indicate that wind pattern in the north is constantly changing and remain unstable. Environment Canada predicts widespread smoke in La Ronge and Prince Albert area today and tomorrow with air quality health index ranging between 7 and 8 (high risk).
At this time, Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka, Medical Health Officer for Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) is recommending that evacuation orders remain in effect in affected communities until weather patterns and air quality improves. Evacuees are encouraged to remain patient as their community leadership and emergency management stakeholders address this difficult and challenging situation.
“People who are at higher risk such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with heart or lung conditions should consider limiting their participation in outdoor activities and events until air quality has improved,” said Dr. Ndubuka.
Forest fire smoke may cause: coughing; scratchy throat; irritated, runny nose and sinuses; shortness of breath; chest pain; headaches; or worsening of asthma symptoms.
For more information on symptoms, precautions and mental health support please call HealthLine at 811 (from land line) or 1-877-800-000 2 (from cell phone) at any time.”
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