Three Saskatchewan communities under threat of wildfires

Wildfires are now posing a danger in Saskatchewan following another round of heat warnings.

The Public Safety Agency of Saskatchewan issued evacuation orders on Sunday in the villages of St. George’s Hill, Michel Village and Southend.

The province said there hasn’t been any property loss from the fires yet.

Karen Bird, Chief of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, said in a Facebook post Sunday that Southend residents could register at the band office and would be bused to hotels in Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

Smoke from the wildfires is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility. It prompted Environment Canada to issue an air quality advisory for the entire northern half of the province, including the Melfort and Nipawin areas.

“Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath,” said the weather agency.

A wildfire burns near the community of Dillon. (Joe Chanalquay/Facebook)

“Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.”

The number of active fires across the province had jumped from 35 on Friday to 91 on Monday. Thirty-two fires are not yet contained.