Multiple wildfires in western Saskatchewan posing threats to First Nations

Wildfire season is underway in Saskatchewan and several First Nation communities in the province are already being affected. 

On Wednesday evening, a mandatory evacuation order was put into effect for the Clearwater River Dene Nation, located about 511 kilometers north of North Battleford, due to increased fire smoke and fire crossing the only highway into the community.

An evacuation command centre was set up at the Clearwater River Dene Nation community hall and buses were available to take people to Meadow Lake and Lloydminister.

By Thursday afternoon, the First Nation posted on Facebook that all spaces were full in Meadow Lake. Residents were asked to head to Lloydminster, and anyone still in the community was asked to leave immediately.

"Fire is posing a risk to the highway. Please evacuate the community if you haven't already done so," states a post from 4 p.m. CST on Thursday. There is only one access road for the First Nation.

Roy Sean Cheecham, a Clearwater River Dene Nation band councillor, said about 50 people —  primarily vulnerable people, people with respiratory illnesses, elders and children — were bused out of the community on Wednesday.

"We had some people taken out, some people are refusing and some people are with us here fighting the fire," Cheecham said from a fire control line.

Cheecham said the firefighting group along with provincial support was doing a good job containing the fire.

"We're not out of the woods yet, so to speak, but there's a lot of resources that are containing all of the hotspots and trying to make sure that if the wind does pick up or things change that it doesn't get away on us," Cheecham said on Thursday at approx. 11 a.m CST.

"The conditions look to be more favourable in the coming days in regard to temperature and wind direction and speed, so I'm optimistic."

Moosomin First Nation needs more firefighting resources : Emergency Management Co-ordinator

On Wednesday afternoon the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) said a "high severity" wildfire had burned approx 2,800 hectares and was still burning — posing a "significant threat" to the Moosomin First Nation about 35 kilometres north of North Battleford.

The BATC is urging residents to be vigilant and remain alert to any changes in the fire's behavior. An evacuation plan is in place and the BATC is asking Moosomin First Nation residents to have medications and clothing ready in case of an evacuation order.

The nearby Saulteaux First Nation is also asked to be on alert as the wildfire continues to burn.

Steve Vandall, the BATC's emergency management coordinator, said the fire began progressing at noon on Wednesday. He said hot and dry weather with constant winds are making it hard to contain the fire.

"I was on the fire grounds there for a few hours [there was] very thick black smoke," Vandall said on Wednesday afternoon.

The BATC said on Wednesday that suppression efforts are ongoing and there is an urgent need for more resources to contain the fire.

"We're working with two nations, the Moosomin First Nation and the Saulteaux First Nation, we're also working with the province as well as the city of North Battleford and any volunteer communities that are willing to assist," Vandall said.

Vandall asked farmers or other equipment operators who have the ability to cut fire control lines around properties to contact the BATC.