Seven wildfires currently burning in Saskatchewan

There are seven wildfires burning in the province, and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is reminding residents to be very cautious when starting campfires or controlled burns.

According to the SPSA, the province has seen 320 wildfires so far this season, slightly above the five-year average of 316. Of the seven currently burning, two are contained and five are under assessment.

Of particular concern is the southwestern corner of the province, where heat warnings are in effect from Environment Canada and a grass fire prompted the partial closure of Highway 1 near Swift Current on Wednesday.

“The southwest corner of the province is still under extreme risk of grass fires,” SPSA president Marlo Pritchard said in a statement.

“It’s critical that residents take every precaution to prevent wildfires as we near the end of the wildfire season, which could last until October.”

The SPSA advised anyone lighting a fire to take a few steps to prevent their campfire or controlled burn from turning into a wildfire.

The SPSA said the first step is to check for fire bans before lighting anything. Residents were also advised to float and stir campfire coals before leaving a campsite, to avoid driving or parking on grassy areas where vehicle exhaust heat can spark a fire, to avoid using machines or tools that cause sparks during dry conditions, to teach children not to play with fire or matches, and to dispose of cigarettes and matches properly.

For those who need to perform controlled burns, the SPSA said to check for fire bans, put guards in place around the area, pay attention to wind and weather, and have access to hoses, fire extinguishers and a water source before beginning a burn.

Controlled burns should also be reported in advance, the SPSA said, so firefighters aren’t mistakenly called to the area by people reporting smoke.

Additional tips and advice can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan website.