Crews making progress in fight against Pelican Narrows fires

The weather has lent a helping hand in the fight against three fires in northern Saskatchewan's Pelican Narrows area, which are not growing in size and are considered to be stable, according to a government official.

Steve Roberts, executive director of wildfire management for the Ministry of Environment, said fire crews have gained control over areas of fire that were considered higher risk. 

He said there are three main fires of concern. The Preston fire is closest to Pelican Narrows — just three kilometres from the community — but it remains stable after crews worked to fight the fire from the air and the ground, Roberts said.

He added no houses or infrastructure have been damaged.

The Granite fire, which covered about 60,000 hectares as of Friday, poses a risk to Jan Lake and Birch Portage, as well as highways 135 and 106.

Roberts said sprinklers have been set up around the Jan Lake subdivision, just south of Pelican Narrows.

That fire is burning about 25 kilometres away from Denare Beach and Flin Flon, Man., though there is no direct threat to those communities.

The Wilkins fire, south of Pelican Narrows, is stable and covered about 6,200 hectares on Friday.

Evacuation

A mandatory evacuation order for the community Pelican Narrows was put into effect Tuesday evening, with residents directed to Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Jan Lake and Sandy Bay have declared states of emergency.

The provincial government said 2,115 people have registered for emergency social services support, including 1,995 residents from Pelican Narrows alone. 

Pelican Narrows is approximately 420 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.

Saskatchewan commissioner of emergency management Duane McKay, who visited the community, said there are about 350 people remaining, not including essential services personnel. 

In Sandy Bay, northeast of Pelican Narrows, the biggest concern aside from smoke had been food, but groceries were purchased in Prince Albert and transported into the community. 

The province said more food is not needed. If people wish to donate time or money, they are encouraged to contact a local community organization or Red Cross.