The Town of Biggar and RM of Biggar declared a state of emergency as a 15 square-kilometre wildfire continues to burn in the area.
Duane McKay, the province’s commissioner of emergency management and fire safety, said Tuesday morning the fire is three-quarters contained.
McKay warned that could change due to winds.
Smoke and poor air quality prompted the advisory, according to the Saskatchewan government. Emergency services are asking people to avoid Highway 51, Triumph Road and the surrounding areas.
The bulletin tells residents to be prepared to leave the area if instructed.
The Biggar Health Centre, including the hospital and long-term care facility, was evacuated as a precaution, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Eight acute care patients and 53 long-term care residents were taken to alternate beds in the Rosetown and Saskatoon City hospitals. The Biggar emergency department remains open.
The Biggar Fire Department has 22 volunteer firefighters. Members started fighting the blaze around 12:30 p.m. Monday, leaving them “dead tired” by Tuesday, according to RM of Biggar reeve Jeanne-Marie de Moissac.
Firefighters from Delisle, Rosetown, Asquith, Perdue, and other communities were on standby, de Moissac said, adding the rural municipality has never seen a fire of this magnitude.
“Whatever we need, they’re willing just to help us out,” de Moissac said.
Fire crews also received help from local farmers using heavy equipment to move earth to try to keep flames at bay.
“Local Hutterite colonies – not only have they supplied manpower and equipment, but thousands of sandwiches for the firefighters,” she said, tearing up.
Around 5:30 p.m. Monday, RCMP said members were on-scene focusing efforts on helping an undisclosed number of people evacuate and controlling traffic.
Police said Monday that the fire was burning between Highway 4 and Highway 51, along with Tower Road and Duperow Road.
There have been no reports of structure loses or injuries.
McKay said crews in a plane hope to determine where the fire started so they can determine a cause.
Biggar is roughly 90 kilometres west of Saskatoon.
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