A uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan had to be evacuated after a wildfire came within one kilometre of the facility.

Heavy smoke forced about 300 workers out of the Rabbit Lake mine on Friday.

Cameco spokesman Rob Gereghty says some workers remained on site to keep an eye on things:

“We had approximately 300 people evacuated from the site.  Fifty remained on site.  These were essential workers who monitored the situation.”

The fire is now listed at 1,200 hectares in size.

Brent Krayetski of Saskatchewan Environment says crews have been brought in to fight the flames:

“It is in the protecting values status at this time, and we are sending manpower and equipment up there to assist in those efforts.”

He adds the wind has now switched and the smoke is drifting away from the facility.

All of the workers have since returned.