An SPSA water bomber. (SPSA website)

By Susan McNeil

Wildfires

Creighton on alert for possible wildfire evacuation

Jul 11, 2024 | 2:33 PM

The Town of Creighton has issued an alert to its residents to be prepared for possible evacuation.

The town cautioned that it is not an order, but rather advice to prepare to evacuate if the situation worsens.

Residents should pack emergency bags just in case and be prepared to leave on short notice. That should include medications, identification and money as well as other needed items.

The threatening Wilson Fire is currently only 100 hectares in size, but is close to both Creighton and Flin Flon, Man. It sits five to seven kms south west of Creighton and was ignited by lightning.

Mayor Bruce Fiddler said the biggest concern is how close the fire, which started last night, is to the community.

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“We have just alerted the people, because of the closeness to the community, that we wanted everyone just to be prepared in case of short notice,” he said.

A screenshot of the Wilson Fire’s proximity to Creighton and Flin Flon, MB. (screenshot/SPSA)

“The winds have been somewhat favourable today, and not too strong and that’s a good thing,” said Fidler.

“We’re hoping it remains the same so the water bombers can make some progress.”

The fire is also about six or seven kms from Highway 106 (the Hanson Lake Road), the town’s main road access to more southern parts of Saskatchewan.

The Village of Denare Beach has also told residents to be prepared to leave and pack an evacuation bag as a precaution.

Residents can also head east to Flin Flon and evacuate from that direction as well.

The City of Flin Flon has also issued a warning to its residents to be prepared to leave quickly should the situation worsen.

People are also asked to not fly drones over the wildfire and keep all water craft well away from where aircraft are operating on Amisk lake.

Two water bombers have been re-located from The Pas and have already begun fighting the fire.

Significant fines can be levied and criminal charges can be laid for breaking laws regarding drone use as well as impeding the work of fire fighting aircraft.

Several hours ago, the SPSA announced a province wide fire ban in all provincially controlled lands and municipalities are beginning to follow suit.

A week of hot dry weather has combined with lightning to set a number of small wildfires across northern Saskatchewan.

A heat warning from Environment Canada still blankets the majority of the province. An upper level ridge has settled over the prairies resulting in clear skies and extreme daytime temperatures along with warm overnight lows. Forecasters say daytime high temperatures near 30 degrees Celsius and overnight low temperatures of roughly 15 degrees Celsius will persist through Thursday. Temperatures will moderate by the end of the week and into the weekend.

An area between La Ronge and Wollaston Lake in northern Saskatchewan is also under a severe thunderstorm watch. Thursday afternoon thunderstorms are expected to develop and move to the east or southeast through the evening. Some of the storms may produce strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

In addition to the heat and storm warnings, an air quality advisory has also been issued for much of the north. Environment Canada said wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com