LIVE @ 1:30: Sask. public safety agency to provide update as 50+ wildfires continue to burn

CTV News

4 days ago

As wildfires continue to burn out of control in the province's north, officials with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) are set to provide an update on its containment efforts.
The news conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. will be streamed live at the top of this article.
On July 18, the SPSA's vice president of operations Steve Roberts said the agency needed 'more boots on the ground' as many fire crews have been working almost non-stop for the past six weeks.
Reinforcements have been arriving in waves, including 40 firefighters from Australia, 40 from Mexico and more personnel from Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
As of Monday afternoon, there are 52 active wildfires in the province – with only three being considered contained. A total of 384 fires have been recorded since the beginning of the year, falling short of the 404 fires in the same period in 2024 – but above the five-year average of 309.
The Buhl Fire, which has crossed over into Prince Albert National Park, has burned 50,550 hectares so far – with 10,023 hectares falling within the park's boundaries. Parks Canada says 121 personnel are assigned to fight the fire, not including SPSA support staff. The operation also includes nine pieces of heavy equipment and 10 helicopters.
The Buhl Fire has caused pre-evacuation alerts for communities such as Waskesiu. However, as of July 19, the fire had not advanced further toward any communities in the area.
Ramsey Bay – 8 kilometres
Montreal Lake – 12 kilometres
Waskesiu – 31 kilometres
Bittern Lake – 32 kilometres
Elk Ridge – 35 kilometres
McPhee Lake – 38 kilometres
Eight communities are currently under active evacuation orders. They include Canoe Lake/Cole Bay/ Canoe Narrows, Jans Bay, La Plonge Indian Reserve, Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Northern Village of Beauval, Northern Village of Pinehouse, Patuanak/ English River First Nation and Resort Subdivision of Lac la Plonge.
-With files from Hayatullah Amanat
-More details to come…