Wildfires force evacuations in Clearwater River Dene Nation, La Loche, and more as Saskatchewan battles over 80 active blazes amid dangerous smoke.
Northern Saskatchewan Communities Evacuated Amid Escalating Wildfires
Urgent evacuation orders are in effect for multiple northern Saskatchewan communities, including Clearwater River Dene Nation (CRDN) and La Loche, as rapidly spreading wildfires and hazardous smoke conditions continue to threaten lives and infrastructure.
Evacuations Ordered Due to Unpredictable Fire Behaviour
Both CRDN and La Loche issued evacuation orders on Friday, August 2, due to the growing proximity and volatile nature of surrounding wildfires. The CRDN emergency response team confirmed that the Park Fire, blanketing the area in thick smoke, forced them to evacuate high-priority individuals under a full evacuation protocol.
A controlled backburn operation was completed near a critical dozer line late Friday evening to slow the fire’s advance. However, emergency officials warn that despite some reduction in fuel, the wildfire remains “active, volatile and unpredictable.”
Fire Crews Mobilized with Heavy Equipment and Aerial Support
Approximately 100 firefighters have been deployed to CRDN, supported by helicopters and water-hauling equipment. Crews are focused on targeting hot spots and reinforcing guard lines to prevent further spread.
La Loche, located just south of CRDN, is also under an evacuation order due to the fire’s proximity and extreme smoke risk. A local state of emergency was declared Friday, with officials citing immediate threats to public health and safety.
“All of our evacuee buses have made it safely to Regina,” said La Loche administrator Martha Morin in a Facebook update on Monday.
Road Closures and Accessibility Challenges
As of Monday evening, Highway 955 remained closed for about 60 kilometres—from La Loche to the Clearwater Truss Bridge—complicating evacuation and emergency response efforts. The closure is in place to ensure the safety of residents and responders.
Prince Albert National Park Faces Looming Buhl Fire
In a separate but equally alarming development, the Buhl Fire near Prince Albert National Park continues to grow, fueled by hot, dry, and windy conditions. Now exceeding 93,000 hectares in size, the lightning-caused blaze poses risks to nearby communities, including Ramsey Bay (0.9 km away), Montreal Lake (12.5 km), and Waskesiu (30.6 km).
Parks Canada has assigned 200 personnel to the area, supported by 12 helicopters, 11 heavy equipment units, and an infrared scanning drone. Suppression efforts include creating firebreaks and targeted attacks on the blaze’s eastern and southeastern fronts.
Province Battles Dozens of Active Fires
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reports 82 active wildfires across the province as of Monday afternoon. While seven have been contained, the majority remain uncontained, threatening more than a dozen communities across the north.
SPSA continues to coordinate with Parks Canada and local emergency teams, urging residents to follow evacuation protocols and remain alert to changing conditions.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
