A fast-moving wildfire has triggered a mandatory evacuation order south of Shellbrook, Sask., as crews continue battling multiple active fires across the province.
An emergency alert issued to residents Saturday morning ordered people living from one mile west to five miles east of Shellbrook and south of Highway 3 to the RM of Shellbrook border to leave immediately.
Officials warned that the wildfire is moving northwest and urged people not to delay evacuation.
According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s latest update Saturday afternoon, there are 11 active wildfires across the province, , although officials warn conditions could change rapidly.
Of those, six are not contained, three are contained, one is under ongoing assessment, and one is focused on protecting nearby values such as homes and infrastructure.
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Saskatchewan’s Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said Saturday the fire had at one point come within roughly seven miles of Shellbrook and was moving north toward the community.
Weger said crews are confident they can prevent the wildfire from reaching the town itself as the fire moves out of heavily forested areas, but “there was some ash coming down in the community, so that’s leading to concerns about the power line coming into Shellbrook,” he said.
The concerns have since resulted in the evacuation of some individuals from the hospital and a care home.
Weger added that crews are attacking the fire from both the ground and the air, with water bombers, air tankers, and helicopters to support suppression efforts.
The fire, dubbed Lobstick, was first reported on Tuesday afternoon just after 3 p.m., with fire crews attending the scene shortly after, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.
Officials confirmed the wildfire started from a lightning strike, after crews initially believed the blaze was caused by an ATV, according to the safety agency.
Residents in affected areas are being urged to closely monitor official updates as conditions can change rapidly.
The minister warned that people who ignore evacuation orders put themselves and emergency responders at risk.
“The SPSA’s number one priority is human life. If anyone becomes accounted for, crews must shift priorities from response and suppression efforts to protecting human life,” Weger said.
He also reminded residents not to return to evacuated areas until officials declare it safe to do so.
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