Beauval and English River First Nation in Sask. issue mandatory wildfire evacuation orders
Wildfire about 10 km from Beauval as of Thursday morning
The northwest Saskatchewan communities of Beauval and English River First Nation have issued mandatory evacuation orders in response to nearby wildfires.
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Beauval, a town about 350 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, announced on Thursday afternoon that the risk of heavy smoke and unpredictable wind patterns forced it to upgrade a priority evacuation order to a mandatory one.
A wildfire was about 10 kilometres from the town Thursday morning. The town said it didn't believe there was an immediate threat of the fire approaching the town, but that heavy smoke is expected.
"What we're predicting is going to happen here in the next little bit with the wind shift is that now our community is going to be covered with smoke, which is going to cause a lot of health issues for those even with good health," said Nick Daigneault, who is co-ordinating the evacuation.
"We have an opportunity here to get people out of the community in a safe, calm manner and really plan it strategically."
Daigneault estimated that about 700 people live in the community, and that between 80 and 90 people left on Wednesday.
"That's barely over 10 per cent. So we're trying to get that to be at least 50 per cent or more today," he said.
Evacuees being taken to Saskatoon
A charter bus bound for Saskatoon left the community at 9 a.m. CST on Thursday morning. A second is planned to leave at 5 p.m. CST.
The town's muster point is the Travelodge in Saskatoon. Daigneault said he's encouraging everyone in the community to register with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) so that they can access accommodation services when they arrive.
English River First Nation, just north of Beauval, also issued a mandatory evacuation order Thursday.
The nearby communities of La Lac Plonge, Kinoosao and Bear Creek are also under priority evacuation orders.
The SPSA said there were currently 64 active wildfires in the province as of 11 a.m. on Thursday.
Only nine were listed as contained, while 18 were not contained, 11 were listed as "protecting values" and 25 were ongoing assessments.
$5.1 million provided to evacuees
The SPSA said it is continuing to meet with community leaders to discuss recovery efforts.
The current focus is "working with communities to support debris management, living accommodations and mental health supports," according to a news release distributed on Thursday.
The provincial government said the $500 payments it promised to evacuees 18 years or older are ongoing. So far, $5.1 million has been distributed. The province said the funds are expected to reach 10,000 people, including the most recent evacuees.
The SPSA is also offering retroactive food security support for communities supported by the SPSA, but who are not staying in SPSA provided hotels. For those who qualify, the SPSA will provide $40 per day for the head of the household with an additional $20 for each member of the family, up to a maximum of $200 per day.
Up-to-date info on active fires, smoke and related topics is available at these sources:
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