The wildfires have led to poor air quality in Northern Saskatchewan. (Submitted photo/Government of Saskatchewan)

By Derek Cornet

fire update

Highways leading in and out of La Ronge closed due to wildfires

Jul 16, 2021 | 4:14 PM

With highways temporarily closed due to wildfires, La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak is advising residents not to panic.

Highways 2 and 102 were both closed to traffic Friday as several uncontained fires continue to burn in Northern Saskatchewan. While there is no imminent threat in the La Ronge area, the communities of Grandmother’s Bay, Hall Lake and Stanley Mission were all placed on evacuation standby notice this week because of poor air conditions due to smoke.

Ratushniak is asking residents to remain calm adding there in no need for panic buying or rushing to purchase fuel.

“We’re confident in how they are handling everything at this time,” he said about the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). “We have not launched our emergency operations centre at this time, so we’re not in a position where panic needs to happen. We just need people to remain calm and also just stay vigilant with fire bans and just making sure there is nothing that will spark anything further.”

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band has already launched their emergency operations centre and officials with the Town of La Ronge are in constant communication with them. They have also been in contact with the La Ronge Regional Fire Department and SPSA.

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So far, 144 people have voluntarily evacuated from Grandmother’s Bay and are staying in hotels in La Ronge and Prince Albert. The band also has coach buses stationed at Otter Lake in case the evacuation becomes mandatory.

As of July 15, the GMB01 Fire is 1,510 hectares and the Mule Fire near Stanley Mission is 380 hectares.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno