LA RONGE, Sask. – Officials say they are in a better situation as wildfires continue to burn in northern Saskatchewan. As of Tuesday morning, there are currently 48 active forest fires in the province.
Crews were able to put out seven fires on Monday, but nine new ones have started.
Officials say even though there are two additional fires to deal with, they are in a better situation today compared to Monday. Visibility has improved in the region, allowing air tankers and helicopters to assist in fighting the fires.
The largest blaze, just south of La Loche, has already charred 470 square kilometres and has not been contained.
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Seven cabins and one home have been destroyed.
Air quality continues to be an issue in some communities around La Ronge. The communities of Lac La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Bands remain under local states of emergency.
READ MORE: Heavy smoke forces evacuation of more people in northern Sask.
Over 700 people, mostly elders, expectant mothers, children under two and those with chronic respiratory illnesses, have been evacuated from some communities and taken to Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
Further east, Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement with smoke from the wildfires affecting the northeast grainbelt. Officials say much of the smoke will be aloft, but could affect areas near the ground, giving the sky a hazy appearance and causing some deterioration in air quality.
Northern regions could see some precipitation soon providing short-term relief. Long-term projections, however, call for more dry conditions.
“As we head into the next couple of months, which are typically drier, we are looking at a very serious situation this summer in terms of the forest fire hazard getting worse,” said Global News meteorologist Peter Quinlan.
That could potentially spark more wildfires in a province already dealing with over twice as many as last year. So far this year there have been 344 forest fires compared to 156 last year at this time.
Joel Senick contributed to this story
With files from The Canadian Press
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