Forest Fires Prompt New Evacuations In Beauval
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 at 14:50
You can add Beauval to the list of northern communities that are under a state of emergency because of forest fires.
Roughly 70 of Beauval’s sick and elderly will be evacuated out of the northern village this afternoon to Lloydminster.
Mayor Sandy Rediron says a nearby fire is currently not a physical threat to his community, but the smoke is creating real problems for people with chronic lung conditions.
Rediron estimates the fire is about 11 kilometres away.
A fire is also threatening the highway to Pinehouse at a point roughly 26 kilometres from Beauval.
Environment officials are also keeping a close eye on Patuanak, which is dealing with smoke from a nearby forest fire, as well.
In all, there are nine communities in Saskatchewan being threatened by forest fires — seven of them have declared a state of emergency.
The cluster of fires threatening communities north of La Ronge remains the highest priority.
Highways officials have completely closed the highways and access roads in the region north of La Ronge, after allowing some escorted access in previous days.
Over 1,900 evacuees have fled that region — almost 800 are staying in Saskatoon.
Saskatchewan Environment spokesperson Janette Krayetski says the fires north of La Ronge are burning very actively because of hot, dry conditions, noting the situation is “very serious”.
In fact, for the first time since the crisis began, local officials yesterday asked residents of La Ronge to consider having some belongings ready to go in case an evacuation call comes — even if the probability of that seems low.
The English Fire threatening English Bay, Wadin Bay and Nemeiben Lake is still several kilometres north of town, but local officials say there is the possibility the south end of that fire could “make a run” for La Ronge because of unpredictable fire behaviour in these conditions.
If that scenario unfolds, local officials say there will be sufficient warning for residents.
The burning conditions have made the situation very unstable — however, forecasters say there is a 30 per cent chance of showers today. There is also the risk of a thunderstorm.
The situation has also resulted in a serious shortage of firefighters. As a result, the province is planning to train new recruits in La Ronge next week, starting on Monday. New trainees will be eligible to hit the fire line after four to five days of training, provided they pass a physical fitness test.