Wet and cool weather has brought good news to the forest fire situation in Saskatchewan.
According to Saskatchewan fire officials, the two large fires burning in eastern Alberta have not moved in the past 24 hours, keeping them at least 50 kilometres away from any Saskatchewan community.
Emergency Management continue to work with many of the communities in the northwest, said the branch’s commissioner, Duane McKay.
He says the current relief will help ensure support systems are in place in case fires pick up again.
“This is a good opportunity to continue to work with the communities to make sure that if anything happens later this year we are fully prepared and ready,” says McKay.
Weather systems have been the source of relief for officials monitoring the fires.
Wildfire Manager Steve Roberts says only a few areas in the west part of the province are still classified as high hazard.
“While the fire hazard across the province is not non-existent it has certainly been lowered temporarily,” says Roberts.
Fire officials say they are cautiously optimistic about this temporary relief because there is still a long forest fire season ahead.
“It’s a cautious relief, but we are still remaining vigilant,” says Duane McKay.
UPDATE:
A fire ban has been issued on all open fires for provincial forests on the west side of the province in a triangle from the Battlefords to La Loche to La Ronge where there has been no significant rainfall.
This fire ban also includes all provincial parks and recreation sites within that area, but not the Prince Albert National Park.
There are eight active fires in Saskatchewan today; all are contained or under ongoing assessment.