Saskatchewan wildfires force out 1,200 residents; evacuation order lifted near Shellbrook
Cayford fire near Manitoba border burns vigorously; Lobstick fire shows progress as rain expected later this week.
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About 1,200 residents remain evacuated from two First Nations communities in northern Saskatchewan due to the Cayford fire, while another evacuation order was lifted Monday afternoon near Shellbrook.
The Cayford fire, northeast of Saskatoon near the Manitoba boundary, is burning vigorously and forcing residents out because of smoke and road-access concerns. The Lobstick fire, also northeast of Saskatoon, had forced 130 people to evacuate but the evacuation order was rescinded Monday afternoon. Crews have prevented that blaze from threatening other communities, though a chicken coop, shed, and trailer were scorched.
Bryan Chartrand, with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, said the Lobstick fire saw minimal growth over the weekend and rain expected later in the week should help crews regain ground. Premier Scott Moe acknowledged the province is in a stronger position than a week ago but emphasized work remains.
"Big, big thanks and much love to so many people that did so very much over the course of the weekend and in the last week or two," Moe said at a virtual news conference Monday. "But we have some more work to do."
Fire season will continue for months ahead, and the province remains on alert for additional blazes.