SASKATOON – More than 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires continue to rage in northern Saskatchewan Tuesday, however that number is about to rise. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said the Prince Albert Grand Council plans to evacuate residents with health issues Tuesday, which he estimated would drive the total number of evacuees to 4,000 or 5,000.
The Henk Ruys Soccer Centre in Saskatoon is at capacity, according to the Red Cross, and a second shelter will be opened at the SaskTel Sports Centre in University Heights. The city says the Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track is now closed to the public.
READ MORE: Air quality health index remains at very high risk for all of Saskatchewan
As of Tuesday morning, there are 108 active wildfires in Saskatchewan, 68 of which are larger than 100 hectares. Nineteen fires were extinguished overnight, according to the province; however 11 new blazes started.
Scott Wasylenchuk, the provincial fire centre manager, says this fire season is probably the most complicated he’s seen in around 35 years.
“We have many fires of fairly large size scattered right across and a lot of them are around communities at this time,” said Wasylenchuk.
WARNING: The below video shot by Angel Herraiz on June 28, 2015 contains language some may find offensive. It shows a wildfire along Highway 969 in northern Saskatchewan.
Additional help is coming from outside the province to fight the wildfires. The province says 40 personnel are en route from eastern Canada to take part in the effort. They will join the roughly 700 people already working to extinguish the wildfires.
“Thanks to all of those from across the country who’ve reached out,” said Wall.
“This is the strength of Canada, that we come to together and we help each other,” he added.
Wall toured part of the region Tuesday, spending time in Prince Albert. He was scheduled to visit the community of La Ronge as well, but his plane was unable to fly due to the conditions, according to a provincial official.
Wall said the province is through its fire fighting budget for the year, but added that the province isn’t worried.
“We’re going to deal with this, we’re going to make sure people are safe, we’re going to fight this fire,” said Wall.
“We have a strong fiscal position in this province.”
Watch below: University of Saskatchewan school of environment professor Toddi Steelman explains the current wildfire situation in the province and how climate change may be playing a role.
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