Saskatchewan wildfires: Cayford fire continues out of control, Lobstick nearing containment

Overview of Central Saskatchewan Wildfires

Two major fires began burning out of control last week in central Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency reports that one fire is now nearing containment while the second continues to spread.

Progress on the Lobstick Fire

The Lobstick Fire was first reported last Tuesday southwest of Prince Albert. It is now 80 per cent contained with a total affected area just under 19,000 hectares. Dozer lines are helping contain the blaze, primarily on the east flank of the North Saskatchewan River along its south side, with construction continuing on the river's north side.

The evacuation order for the Rural Municipality of Shellbrook, issued on Friday evening, was lifted as of Monday evening. The evacuation alert for the Rural Municipality of Duck Lake and Lily Plain was also lifted.

Status of the Cayford Fire

The Cayford Fire, first reported last Tuesday northwest of Hudson Bay and south of Red Earth Cree Nation, remains out of control and is around 13,000 hectares in size. The fire started in an area burned by a wildfire five years ago, meaning most available fuel has already been used up and spread should be limited, according to Bryan Chartrand, SPSA land operations executive director.

Chartrand stated that officials are not predicting the fire to impact any other communities other than perhaps smoke. Crews are focusing efforts on battling flames on the north end of the fire, working both east and west, and will assess values in the area on Tuesday that need protection.

Evacuation Orders and Resident Experiences

Residents from nearby Red Earth Cree Nation and Shoal Lake Cree Nation remain under evacuation orders, with many staying in hotels in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw. Kevin Head, a resident of Red Earth Cree Nation, expressed concern about houses on the reserve and the fire reaching homelands.

Sherwin Whitecap of Shoal Lake Cree Nation said residents are awaiting the go-ahead from the chief or headman to return home.

Support from Agencies and Local Officials

The Canadian Red Cross is assisting evacuation efforts at the request of local communities, with over 1,300 people evacuated so far, said Luc Mullinder, Saskatchewan vice-president of the Canadian Red Cross. Mullinder noted that congregate shelters are the worst-case scenario and that finding hotel spaces is difficult due to events and conferences.

Saskatoon mayor Cynthia Block said the city is well-equipped to handle evacuees and is seeing far fewer than this time last year. The SPSA is adding four Type 1 crew members, five Type 2 crew members, two overhead and one water tender to existing crews.