La Loche, Sask., evacuating more at-risk residents again due to wildfire concerns

Higher risk residents from the northern village of La Loche are fleeing their community for the second time in May as a wildfire is moving toward the community.

A state of emergency has been called for the northern village about 510 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. Buses are taking residents south to Regina on Wednesday.

A mandatory evacuation order is in place for priority one and two residents of La Loche. That includes people with cardiac and respiratory conditions, elders, those with mobility needs, children 5 years old and younger, pregnant mothers and those requiring special care.

A voluntary evacuation order is in place for the rest of the community.

Ken Roth, 67, is planning on leaving La Loche for the second time if the fire situation worsens, because he is still experiencing complications from having had COVID-19.

He left the community for about a week earlier this month due to heavy smoke.

"The evacuation part is really hard, they're sending people on a eight-hour ride to Regina from La Loche, that's a long way for elderly people or people with small children," Roth said.

"But I guess it's better than sniffing the heavy smoke in the community and waiting for the fire to come toward you."

Roth said he's worried about the thick grey smoke.

"If you go outside you know right away it's a strong smoke and there's ashes falling pretty well everywhere," Roth said.

He added that it's hard to live in a hotel for extended periods of time, and he's also worried about the air quality in more southern parts of the province. 

Environment Canada has special air quality statements in effect for all of northern Saskatchewan and some parts of central Saskatchewan, including Prince Albert.

As of Wednesday at 1:00 p.m CST, there were 20 active fires burning in the province, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. The agency said only one of those fires was contained. 

Georgina Jolibois, La Loche's mayor, says she's worried about the current state of the wildfire, which was about nine kilometers north of the community on Tuesday.