Province keeping close eye on northern Saskatchewan wildfires

News of northern Saskatchewan forest fires has quieted down since July ended, asevacuees returnedhome and smoke abated.

But just because there isn't as much smoke, doesn't mean there isn't fire.

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The province is keeping a close watch on the wildfire situation up north.

Most of the region has received rain, and there are no communities currently under threat.

But Scott Wasylenchuk, the manager of the provincial fire centre, said some fires are still active.

"The smoke is down so it isn't as prominent as it was."

Firefighting resources stay close to home

While Saskatchewan's forest fires are under control, other areas, like British Columbia, are battling their own blazes.

Wildfires are raging in the southern B.C. interior.

• B.C. fires: Wildfire raging near Rock Creek forces 208 evacuations

Most of Saskatchewan's firefighting resources are staying close to home.

But Wasylenchuk saida handful have travelled south to help fight fires in Montana.

"They're going through something similar that we went through earlier this year," he said. "If we can free up some single resources, meaning crews or specialists, we will help out if we can."

As we move closer to the end of our fire season, we may be able to free up resources for other agencies.- ScottWasylenchuk, manager of the provincial fire centre

Crews are "leased out" on week-long commitments. At the end of seven days, their mission is reassessed based on conditions at home.

"We are still fairly active, but as we move closer to the end of our fire season, we may be able to free up resources for other agencies," Wasylenchuk said.

Close eye on Buffalo Narrows, La Ronge

He saidweather forecasts and fire behaviour models suggest things may heat up in northern Saskatchewan again.

"We're looking actually for that Buffalo Narrows-La Ronge area to start drying out and another three-four days for the fires to become a little more active again."

Large fires could become normal

Wasylenchuk saidsome of the fire behaviour models showclimate change having a direct impact on wildfires.

"Others, myself included, we also realize every time we have El Nino years Western Canada tends to have difficult fire seasons," he said. "We've seen that pattern and we recognize that pattern."

"The science is showing that as the climate does change that, you know, large fires, more intense fires will be the norm."

The fires in some areas of northern Saskatchewanare expected to burn until the snow falls later this year.

Crews are working on containing active fires, cleaning up someareas and refurbishing equipment.

"We're prepared and we have what we need to maintain our preparedness,`said Wasylenchuk, "so as we move through to the rest of the season, we'll do what we can."