In response to the current wildfires outside Biggar, SK, and area, the provincial government is strongly advising residents to avoid any fire use in south-central Saskatchewan due to extremely dry conditions.
“From Meadow Lake, basically all the way to the southern part of the province and probably into just east of Saskatoon and then south to the southern border — that whole south central and western area is under extreme fire behavior conditions at this point,” said provincial Fire Commissioner Duane McKay in a conference earlier today.
“Now that doesn't mean that there isn't fire irritability in the Regina area. That's in high fire behavior area, and then it decreases as you go closer to Manitoba.”
The advisory includes campfires, controlled grass or debris burning, and any activity that could cause sparking. McKay advises against any controlled burns at this time. Residents are also advised to keep tabs on the fire bans in effect throughout the province and abide by them.
There are currently five active wildfires, four of which are reported to be contained. The uncontained fire is located near Big Island First Nation, northwest of Meadow Lake, and is approximately 50 hectares in size.
McKay’s first advice to anyone who notices a smoldering piece of grass or an outright fire is to immediately contact authorities.
He also advises not to get in front of an expanding fire, and any attempts to put a wildfire out should be approached from the sides, if at all.
“While you may want to contain that fire the best you can, work obviously from the sides; do not get in front of this fire or any types of fire. In these kinds of conditions, it can move very rapidly and cause a lot of difficulties, so your personal safety is paramount,” said McKay. “There are volunteer fire departments that are very good at this, provincial resources that are available as well. So if you can get those activated, that's primarily what you should be doing.”
Dennis Truman, provincial wildfire manager, noted that conditions will continue this way as the weather continues to warm and no precipitation is seen, and that crews are on standby to monitor the situation.
“As the conditions continue to warm up, our hazards will continue to increase,” said Truman. “We have some aircraft that should be ready today to assist with any fires that we get [reported], and we'll go from there.”
Wildfires can be reported through 911, and updated information about ongoing fire bans can be found online at saskatchewan.ca/fire.
