La Ronge and several nearby communities ordered to evacuate due to wildfires
CBC
Fast-moving fires in Saskatchewan's north have led to several communities in the La Ronge area being ordered to evacuate on Monday.
Residents of La Ronge, Air Ronge, the Lac Ronge reserve and everywhere within a 20-kilometre radius were ordered to evacuate late in the afternoon, after seeing nearby communities get the same direction earlier in the day.
As of 6 p.m. CST Monday, the flames had breached the airport in La Ronge.
People with their own transportation are being asked to drive south on Highway 2 and register at the Days Inn in Prince Albert.
The designated meeting place for evacuees needing assistance is the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre in La Ronge, which is about 340 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band said earlier Monday that arrangements were being made for buses, and gas for vehicles, and that leaders would work with the Red Cross on accommodations.
The La Ronge evacuation includes dozens of acute care patients and long-term care residents.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said plans are underway to get the 45 people out of the fire zone as quickly as possible. Some are being airlifted, others will be taken by ground ambulance to Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert.
A doctor in La Ronge told CBC News Monday night that about a dozen ground ambulances were heading north to pick up hospitalized patients. He said planes were having trouble landing at the airport in La Ronge, due to the heavy smoke and nearby fire.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency vice-president of operations Steve Roberts said La Ronge residents may have to head west to get out.
"If Highway 2 is compromised and they cannot be guided through, they will actually be moved down until they hit [Highway] 165. They will travel west and then down through Île-à-la-Crosse on that highway," Roberts said.
East of La Ronge, near the Manitoba border, all essential staff and firefighters in Denare Beach are also evacuating the area.
The northern village posted on Facebook Monday evening saying it's due to the intense wind conditions and the growth of the nearby Wolf fire. The village says safety is now top priority.
Where more evacuees would end up staying is still up in the air.
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