Forest Fire Closes Part of Major Northern Highway

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 14:00

 

 

 

Highways and fire officials are currently deciding whether they should re-open a section of the major highway that runs through northwest Saskatchewan.

 

The section of Highway 155 that runs from Green Lake to Beauval was shut down yesterday morning after a forest fire crossed the road.

 

Some traffic was allowed to trickle through later in the day, but the section of highway was eventually blocked off again and, at last word, remains closed.

 

Motorists are being diverted to highway 903.

 

The “Hillyer” fire is not yet under control and is about one thousand hectares in size. It was started on Monday by a lightning strike.

 

A spokesman with the Provincial Fire Centre says the wind is blowing from the east today, which means there’s a better chance the road might be re-opened later today.