The SaskTel announcement was made during the Saturday afternoon media briefing held in Prince Albert and attended by Premier Scott Moe and the province’s lone Liberal MP Buckley Belanger, who represents most northern areas of the province and is the Secretary of State for Rural Development.

There was First Nation representation with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter Beatty in attendance, with Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron and the Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council Chief Brian Hardlotte on the phone.

As as Saturday afternoon, there were sixteen wildfires burning, including seven that are not contained. (Detailed information on those seven fires are at the bottom of the story)

Premier Moe ran through the list of human and equipment resources being used to battle the fires.

Moe also defended the decision to ban ATV’s

Saskatchewan has not requested any help from the federal government, mainly because Ottawa does not have any water bombers. Premier Moe says a request will be made if assistance is required an event such as an aerial evacuation. Belanger says the federal government is committed to provide any assistance available.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter Beatty thanked all firefighters, including those from municipal fire services. He mentioned Warman firefighters at Pelican Narrows.