For the second time in two days, wildfires are forcing the evacuation of a northern Saskatchewan community.
An evacuation is underway in the village of La Loche, 24 hours after a mandatory evacuation was given to the neighbouring Clearwater River Dene First Nation.
The village in northwest Saskatchewan is also under a state of emergency due to the heavy smoke and encroaching flames.
Posted by Roy Sean Cheecham on Thursday, May 4, 2023
In a statement issued Thursday evening, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) stated it’s supporting the evacuation effort of roughly 3,000 residents.
People in the area are asked to register at Ducharme Elementary School so leadership knows who has left and who might still be in the community.
Buses are currently transporting people to Regina, where evacuees will stay at hotels and the University of Regina.
According to the village Facebook page, no structures have been lost to the 266-hectare blaze.
The number of evacuees due to wildfires in Saskatchewan could grow in the coming days.
The communities of Moosomin First Nation and Saulteaux First Nation near the Battlefords remain on high alert, while Highway 106, also known as the Hanson Lake Road, is closed in both directions.
Warm temperatures and dry conditions in the first week of May has led to an earlier start to the wildfire season in Saskatchewan.
As of Friday morning, there were 14 active fires across the province. Six were considered not contained.
The SPSA said it will provide an update on the wildfire situation Friday morning.