Wildfire near Shellbrook continues to grow
REGINA — About 130 people have been evacuated from the rural municipality of Shellbrook since an order was issued Friday evening due to a fast moving fire.
As of 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 30, the Lobstick fire had grown to 15,000 hectares, or 37,000 acres, and was still burning out of control.
There are nine other fires burning; four are not contained, three contained, one protecting values and one under ongoing assessment.
Michael Weger, minister responsible for Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, said suppression is taking place but the fire, which started Tuesday, May 26, is expected to grow.
He said of the 65 households evacuated from the RM, 63 were able to find accommodation with family or friends and two were at a Warman hotel. The Parkland Integrated Health Centre was evacuated in the early morning hours of May 30.
Another evacuation of Red Earth Cree Nation has occurred, but the Red Cross is supporting that community and specific details were not available.
There was no information available on how the Lobstick fire was affecting livestock, other than anecdotal reports of people moving horses due to smoke.
Weger said the SPSA has deployed a large amount of resources, including aircraft, heavy equipment and ground crews since responding May 26 at 3:26 p.m.
A federal heavy helicopter was expected to arrive Saturday.
The public was asked to stay off lakes where water bombers are filling, and to obey the evacuation orders until told they can return home.
The weather remained dry and windy, including swirling winds, and was producing large volumes of smoke.
Premier Scott Moe, who lives in Shellbrook, reported ash falling in the community, said Weger.
The fire was moving toward the town but at last report was still about 10 kilometres away.
“The crews are pretty confident that they can control it,” he said, but there is a lot of smoke to contend with as they work.
The area is old growth forest, which has allowed the fire to move through faster, he added.
Meanwhile, fire bans are now in effect in 59 RMs and 28 urban centres as the hot, dry weather continued. An SPSA ban on Crown lands includes prohibiting the use of ATVs.
