Wildfire smoke triggers air quality statement in northern Sask., closes highway

Wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility over portions of Saskatchewan's north.

On its website, Environment and Climate Change Canada saida plume of smoke from a forest fire northeast of La Ronge was continuingto create locally poor air quality, andadvisedpeople with breathing difficultiesto stay inside.

Chief Tammy Cook-Searsonof Lac LaRongeIndian Bandsays the fire burst open around 3:30 P.M on Friday. On early Saturday evening theECCCtriggereda special air quality statement for La Ronge, Montreal Lake and Pinehouse, Saskatchewan.

The smoke was also impactingCandle Lake,Narrow Hills Provincial Parks and Prince Albert National Park Saturday night, but the advisory for those areaswas lifted early Sunday morning.

Cook-Searsonsays the fire is located approximately 2.9 kilometres southwest of the community of Stanley Mission, and the weather isn't helping their fight.

"It grew very quickly because of the the high winds and the dry conditions," she said.

She said the fire is getting really close to Stanley Mission. As of Sunday, the windsubsided and Cook-Searsonsaidit's helping contain the fire.

The fire previously had prompted the closure of the highway into Stanley MissionSaturday night, but it re-opened Sunday.

Cook-Searsonsays the fire jumped the highwaySaturday.

"You can still see open flame and smoke today," she said.Even though the highway has re-opened, Cook-Searson said it could still be closed today.

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band says more firefighters are expected today, and they will continue to work toprotect cabins in the area.

Maurice Ratt, the Lac La Rongeemergency response officer,said more equipment will arrive sometime Sunday, along withan incident command team.

Crews will continue to work on the fire lines andair support will continue to cool fire lines down, Ratt said.They will also createa fire retardant line in the area.

Local fire crewsfrom La Ronge and Sucker River were also helping.

"There is no threat to the community of the fire," as of Sunday, Ratt said.

Fire bans, however, are in place inStanley Mission, Sucker River, Grandmother's Bayand Hall Lake, effectively immediately, Ratt said.

Cook-Searson saidthe response has been swift and fire crews have even been brought in from Manitoba to help battle the blaze.

Light wind is expected for the next several days, according to ECCC, but rain is not in the forecast for the area until the end of the week.

Cook-Searson saidvulnerable community members have been alerted to prepare fora possible evacuation, including about 650 people in priority groups.

"So we're going to start we're going to put a notice out ...just letting people know this, to be ready just in case."

Right now, Cook-Searson says as long as the wind stays in their favourthey should be able to avoid evacuation.

When air quality is poor, individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk according to ECCC.