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Forest fires burning 3 km from Sask. power plant, but officials say disruption is unlikely

Forest fires continue to rage in northeast Saskatchewan. They've caused evacuations in communities like Sandy Bay, but the fires are also close to the Island Falls Power Station.

Island Falls Power Station supplies power to residents, mines and others in northeast Sask.

Jason Warick · CBC News ·
Ray said she was worried about the damage the Island Falls hydroelectric station might sustain due to high water or debris from the river but a SaskPower spokesperson said they weren't aware of any.
Forest fires are burning within three kilometres of the Island Falls power station in northwest Saskatchewan, but an official said the flames are unlikely to reach it. (Submitted by Rita Ray)

Forest fires continue to rage in northeast Saskatchewan, causing evacuations in communities like Sandy Bay.

The fires are also close to the Island Falls hydroelectric station, which supplies power to most of the province's northeast.

SaskPower spokesperson Scott McGregor said the wildfire is three kilometres from the station and has remained at roughly that distance for the past few days. He said the station is surrounded by fire breaks, and staff are regularly watering down all relevant buildings and infrastructure.

He said they don't anticipate any service disruption.

"With the current situation, we have ample staff to keep normal operations going. And it's extremely unlikely that operations will be impacted by the situation," he said.

Sask Power official Scott McGregor said staff are working hard to water down all infrastructure at the Island Falls power station and protect it from forest fires. But he said he doesn't anticipate any damage or disruption.
SaskPower official Scott McGregor said staff are working hard to water down all infrastructure at the Island Falls power station and protect it from forest fires. He said he doesn't anticipate any disruption. (Richard Agecoutay/CBC)

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter Beattie said he's worried about his community of Sandy Bay. Beattie said the fires are pushing closer to the community. An evacuation order was issued earlier this week.

"The fires are still burning hot and have grown in size. So now the northwest winds will advance that fire a bit closer," he said.

Beattie said everyone is hoping for cooler temperatures and rain. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-20s with little significant rain until Monday or later.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jason Warick

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Jason Warick is a reporter with CBC Saskatoon.

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