'In a stronger position': Fire suppression efforts slowing 2 major Sask. wildfires

'In a stronger position': fire suppression efforts slowing 2 major Sask. wildfires

More than 1,000 people have evacuated their homes so far

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency gave updates on two uncontrolled wildfires burning in the province Monday, saying firefighting work is showing results.

Premier Scott Moe thanked volunteers and firefighters for their efforts battling the Lobstick and Cayford fires during the news conference.

"Communities and individuals come together to support one another," he said. "We see that year in, year out in other communities, and I had an opportunity to see it in the community where I live over the course of this weekend."

About 1,000 people were evacuated from Red Earth First Nation and Shoal Lake Cree Nation due to the Cayford fire as of Monday.

About 130 people evacuated from the rural municipality of Shellbrook because of the Lobstick fire were allowed to return late Monday afternoon. The municipality said in a Facebook post that an evacuation order has been lifted and people could return to their homes as of 4:45 p.m. CST.

While the Lobstick Fire was still classified as uncontrolled as of 11 a.m. CST Monday, the fire has not grown beyond the 19,000 hectares the SPSA reported Saturday.

Rain showers Saturday afternoon and humidity overnight helped suppression efforts over the weekend, a SPSA news release said.

Helicopters have been spreading water and fire gel. Fire retardant lines are holding, and a dozer guard has been built to protect transmission lines near Shellbrook, the SPSA said.

Shellbrook Fire and Rescue have been fully extinguishing any jump fires.

Chris Trueman, who farms near Shellbrook and is a volunteer firefighter, said the province should have addressed the fire before it got out of hand.

"They should have let water bombers come and get at it and dozers by the river make a fire break, and (it would have) been put out right from the start instead of assessing it for how long they did," he said.

Trueman said he's helping fight the fire because he wants to protect the place he and so many others call home.

"This is lots of people's sanctuary down here. I grew up here. This is my backyard," he said.

The hamlet of Holbein, located 13 kilometres east of Shellbrook, is preparing for the fire to move its way. Irrigation lines surrounding the community feed sprinkler heads around the perimeter, and a fire guard was constructed in the southwest corner of the community.

Holbein residents said the preventative measures made them feel like they were in good hands.

"They've even wet down the south perimeter. So, they're on top of things, and I know they'll do all they can to save our community," Diane Arcand said.

Arcand said when the evacuation alert went into effect, it took her and her husband two hours to pack up all their special belongings to be ready to go at a moment's notice.

When crews came in with the sprinklers and irrigation lines, she felt safer.

"They're diligent. They're here, they're checking all the time. So, it's reassuring," Arcand said.

As crews work to bring the Lobstick fire under control, Moe said he's in a more confident place than he was over the weekend.

"I think we're in a stronger position today than maybe we were four days ago when it comes to the Lobstick fire. We have some more work to do with respect to the Cayford fire," he said.

The SPSA has not issued evacuation alerts for any of the areas around the Cayford fire, which is burning northwest of Hudson Bay, but local governments in Red Earth Cree Nation and Shoal Lake Cree Nation have both issued mandatory evacuations.

The Cayford fire, now at 11,500 hectares, started in an old burn that was the site of the Bell Fire in 2021, according to Bryan Chartrand, the executive director of land operations for the SPSA.

Chartrand said the Cayford fire is encountering the same natural barriers the Bell fire encountered five years ago. As of right now, Chartrand said no other communities are at risk due to the Cayford fire, but those in the area will have to deal with smoke.

Firefighters are focusing on keeping the Cayford fire from going further north to protect Highway 55.

The Red Earth and Shoal Lake evacuations are being managed by the Red Cross.

Shoal Lake, about nine kilometres from Red Earth, is not directly in the line of fire.

Because Shoal Lake is so close to Red Earth, it has evacuated 258 vulnerable people, band Coun. Edgar Cook said.

"The main concern was the smoke inhalation, and, if it does come towards the community, they're talking about losses of houses," he said.

"It's not near our area yet. We'll have to deal with that when the time comes."

Cook said the First Nation has an emergency response team working with the Red Cross to monitor the situation and is in communication with fire crews in Hudson Bay and the public safety agency.

Premier Moe gives update on Cayford and Lobstick fires

"It's unfortunate sometimes that we have to displace people, however, it's for safety. It's for everybody, so that they make sure that they're safe," he said.

Evacuees faced long wait times getting fuel before they left Red Earth on Saturday and when registering with the Red Cross once they arrived in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina to be given hotel rooms, Red Earth First Nation band Coun. Cheryl McKay said in a Facebook post.

Thirteen buses and 117 other vehicles waited in line at one gas pump before leaving Red Earth on Saturday.

"There are lessons to be learned from this experience. We need more trained personnel available during large-scale evacuations, and we should explore training our own community members through the Red Cross," McKay wrote.

"Our people know our families, understand community connections, and can help ensure Elders, children, and families remain together while helping the registration process move more efficiently."

McKay said some evacuees didn't get hotel rooms until 2 p.m. Sunday.

Despite the frustrations, McKay wrote that she's proud of how her community handled the evacuation.

"Throughout this evacuation, I have witnessed patience, kindness, understanding, and respect despite the long waits, exhaustion, and uncertainty," McKay wrote.

"We may not agree with every process, and there are certainly improvements that can be made moving forward, but our strength as a people continues to shine through."

Laura Gillis is a Regina-based journalist. You can reach her at laura.gillis@cbc.ca.