An evacuation order for Pelican Narrows has been upgraded to include all residents.
According to Tuesday’s social media post by Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, a state of emergency has been declared for the community.
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They note that a nearby wildfire is burning dangerously close and continues to grow under volatile conditions.
The new order was made after consultation with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), fire experts, and emergency partners.
A registration centre has been set up at the Pelican Narrows High School. Seven buses were scheduled to arrive at the high school at 1 p.m. to begin transporting evacuees.
Fuel was available at Charles Store for those who are self-evacuating by vehicle.
Due to smoky conditions, hundreds of people have already left the community and while en route to Saskatoon, made a registration stop in Prince Albert.
Highway 135 access north of Pelican Narrows to Sandy Bay is closed.
Fire also forced SPSA staff to leave its administration area near Lower Fishing Lake. The agency said 280 of its staff and contracting support people had to leave. They went to Candle Lake Provincial Park and will be moved to a new area to continue efforts on the new fires.
— by Nigel Maxwell, with files from CKME News
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