Evacuation order issued for East Trout Lake resort area amid Sask. wildfire threats

An evacuation order was put in place Wednesday for the East Trout Lake resort area, approximately 165 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert, due to the growing threat of wildfires burning to the south.

The order, enacted by the resort subdivision of East Trout Lake and effective immediately, follows rapid developments in the Camp and Shoe wildfires.

A local state of emergency has also been declared and will remain in effect until at least May 28.

Among those affected by the evacuation order is cabin owner Shari Pitka, who left East Trout Lake for Prince Albert.

"We got the evacuation order this morning at 11:30," Pitka told CBC Radio's The 306 on Wednesday. "It didn't seem too windy or too smoky, so it was very hard to tell where the fire was."

Pitka said she noticed the smoke once she approached Clarence-Steepbank Provincial Park.

"That was a little bit concerning."

Pitka said nightly provincial wildfire updates have helped residents stay informed, so she knew the night before that an evacuation might be possible.

"We really weren't too concerned about it until last night," she said. "They had told us that the fire kind of took off on them, so that was a little bit concerning."

Pitka, who has spent 30 summers at East Trout Lake with her extended family, said she quickly gathered essentials before leaving. Though only a handful of residents were present for the May long weekend, Pitka said everyone moved quickly once the evacuation order came down.

"I think we all left right about the same time, at 1:45. We all left and hit the road."

Pitka expressed mixed emotions as she's getting ready to go back to her home in Calgary.

"A little sad, because I've been going up there for a really long time," Pitka said. "I hope everything's OK. We do have a lot of great family memories up there."

She praised the province's proactive efforts to install sprinkler systems.

"We have been really impressed with the province, that kind of puts our mind at ease a little bit." 

But she remains concerned that the wildfires could continue toward the direction of East Trout Lake.

"From the look of the smoke on our exit, it looks like it's moving that way."

Officials continue to urge all residents and visitors to leave the area immediately and check the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency's website for updates.