By Derek Cornet

Campers returning to Lac La Ronge Provincial Park

May 18, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Campground use in the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is returning to normal levels after a 2015 wildfire caused devastation.

That’s according to Park Manager Natasha Merriman, who said the Egg Fire, which reached 950 square kilometers in size, destroyed more than half of the Nemeiben Lake and Wadin Bay Campgrounds. After the fire was extinguished, those campgrounds remained closed for the year and part of the 2016 season.

“For the first little bit, we did see a drop in camping because the campgrounds weren’t open,” Merriman said, though she added that visitation is close to normal levels now that everything has reopened.

As of Thursday, all campgrounds in the park are open, though alcohol is banned for the Victoria Day Long Weekend and a fire ban will remain in place until further notice. Since park staff started work April 30, Merriman said general maintenance like road work has been completed and the water systems at main campgrounds have been turned on. Docks have also been installed at boat launches, she said, with some docks at Nemeiben being completely replaced.

Residents and tourists were also encouraged to visit the Lac La Ronge Visitor Centre in Air Ronge if they have any questions about the park. Manager Judy Hanke said tourists are already arriving, as June tends to be the busiest month for visitors. After the 2015 wildfire, she said people would often call to ask about the condition of park, and she wants visitors to know most of the forest didn’t burn.

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“The forest that did burn only exposed so many beautiful things like rock we’ve never seen,” Hanke said. “It’s kind of a rebirth.”

She also advised visitors to make sure they’re following the rules while visiting the park, noting members of the public should ensure they have fishing and boating licenses and safety gear, and remember to respect the environment.   

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @saskjourno