Photo courtesy La Ronge Fire Department

In the latest update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, there are currently 19 active wildfires in the province. Of those active fires, one is categorized as contained, five are not contained, 11 are ongoing assessment, and two are listed as protecting values.    

Four communities remain under evacuation orders, including East Trout Lake, as well as priority individuals from Creighton, Denare Beach and Cumberland House. The SPSA Recovery Task Team has started to meet with community leaders to review and discuss recovery efforts.  

In addition, the SPSA says over $4 million has been transferred to residents as well as communities that are distributing the $500 Government of Saskatchewan Financial Assistance to their impacted residents.  

The Shoe Fire is 554,484 hectares as of 11 a.m. Tuesday morning and remains at 50 per cent containment with most of the fire getting precipitation. The greatest amounts were across the north half of the fire. The Pisew Fire is 184,877 hectares in size and 23 per cent contained. The Wolf Fire west of Denare Beach is 161,420 hectares in size on the Saskatchewan side and not contained and some residents in Denare Beach and Flin Flon are expected to repatriate Wednesday. The Santo Fire, east of Pinehouse is 13,700 hectares and not contained. The Ditch Fire, north of Weyakwin is 182,745.0 hectares and is not contained.

This year, Saskatchewan has had 267 wildfires, which is well above the five-year average of 163 to date.