Saskatchewan

Wildfire risk deemed high, extreme in southern Sask.

Crews have been busy fighting forest fires in Saskatchewan this year, with almost double the number compared to this time last year.

Throughout province, 163 wildfires so far in 2015

Crews have been busy fighting forest fires in Saskatchewan this year, with almost double the number compared to this time last year.  

As of Wednesday, there have been 163 fires in the province this year, compared to 85 by this time last year.

Most of the fires are in the Prince Albert and Buffalo Narrows area, with a smaller number in the La Ronge area.

Twelve wildfires were burning on Wednesday.

In the southern half of the province, the risk of fires is elevated, according to the environment ministry.

On the east side of the region, the risk has been deemed high while in western and central areas, it's extreme, according to the ministry's Thursday fire forecast map.

One forest fire was burning close to Creighton, Sask. A water bomber and a helicopter dropped water on the blaze late Wednesday afternoon.

The fire risk is high in eastern Saskatchewan and extreme in the west, the provincial environment ministry says.