More than 8,000 people so far forced to flee Saskatchewan wildfires
Global News
Officials with Saskatchewan Public Safety said Friday that more that 8,000 people from 16 communities have been forced to flee their homes because of wildfires.
There were 15 wildfires burning in Saskatchewan, with seven of them still burning out of control, as of 11 a.m. on Friday, according to the latest update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.
More than 8,000 people from 16 communities have been evacuated.
Provincial Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard said changing weather conditions have been hampering firefighting efforts.
“We are experiencing high daytime temperatures, warm evening temperatures and combined with the winds these fires are continuing to move significant distances.”
A number of structures have also been lost, said Pritchard, including to the Shoe fire, located north of Prince Albert, but heavy smoke and dangerous fire and road conditions have made it difficult for officials to get an exact estimate of how many.
Another of the hardest-hit areas is in Pelican Narrows, located about five hours north of Saskatoon, near the Saskatchewan-Manitoba boundary, where more than 2,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes.
The fire threatening the community continues to burn out of control and crews are preparing to put up barriers, should flames get to the outskirts of the community.
Heavy smoke has also restricted firefighters’ use of aircraft to help fight the fire, said Pritchard, although the winds are expected to shift this weekend.
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