The group of eight and their gear were airlifted in three parts. (Submitted photo/Lana Stobbe)

By Derek Cornet

close call

Former La Ronge resident part of canoe group rescued from wildfire

Jul 15, 2021 | 12:29 PM

Canoers were rescued by helicopter last week near Rendevous Lake after a wildfire threatened their safety.

Eight canoers, including Lana Stobbe who lives near Saskatoon but grew up in La Ronge, embarked on what was supposed to be a weeklong trip along the Clearwater River. They left Warner Rapids, about 65 kilometers north of La Loche, on July 2 which went as planned until they reached the 20-kilometer Methye Portage on July 7.

It was on that day Stobbe recalled the group noticed smoke not too far away from them.

“We loaded up our canoes, got on the water and we had to paddle across anyway to get to the campsite we wanted to stay that night,” she said. “We were maybe two kilometers north of Rendevous at that point. We just kind of kept going, crossed the lake and there was bombers going at this point and choppers.”

That’s when Stobbe explained a member of the group messaged his wife using a satellite device to let her know what was happening. She then contacted local authorities about the situation.

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By chance, a helicopter with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency noticed the canoers and a member of the crew dropped down, hiked over and talked to them. Stobbe noted they were given the option to stay, but decided to leave because they knew the potential risk the fire posed—it was five kilometers away and growing.

The group were forced to leave behind their canoes at the portage. (Submitted photo/Lana Stobbe)

The view of the fire from the air. (Submitted photo/Lana Stobbe)

Lana Stobbe want to remind readers about the beauty of Northern Saskatchewan. (Submitted photo/Lana Stobbe)

“They let us make the final call, but at the end we had to do what was safest for the group,” she said.

Stobbe wanted to thank those who extracted the group, including the residents of La Loche who she described as welcoming. She also wants to remind others going into remote areas to ensure someone knows where they will be, let local authorities know where you’re going and carry a means of communication to contact the outside the world.

Stobbe also doesn’t want to deter canoers from visiting Northern Saskatchewan, adding the first six days were full of positive memories.

“It was gorgeous,” she said. “There was some fishing. We got to see so much wildlife like bald eagles, otters and even little baby wolf pups, which was so amazing. There are so many falls, ridges and rapids. There was a lot of fun aspects of the river and things you have to respect.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno