Sask. on track for one of the most destructive wildfire seasons on record

Saskatchewan is on track for one of its most severe wildfire seasons on record, according to the provincial government's public safety agency.

Saskatchewan is on track for one of its most severe wildfire seasons on record, according to the provincial government's public safety agency.

During a news conference Tuesday morning Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency vice-president Steve Roberts said the number of fires so far this year has already surpassed the five-year average.

"So the situation in Saskatchewan this morning is we have 54 active wildfires — 370 wildfires so far this year. The 10-year average is 415, the five-year average is 312. So we're above the five-year average but not quite at the 10-year average," Roberts explained.

However, in terms of surface area ravaged by wildfires, Roberts said 1.2 million hectares have been scorched this year which greatly surpasses the 10-year average of 442,000 hectares.

The highest number of fires ever recorded came in 2015, with a total of 720, Roberts said.

The same year a record 1.7 million hectares were destroyed, according to Roberts.

Roberts said the SPSA is currently focused on two fires in particular, the Todos fire near Fon Du Lac and the Hamil fire near Wollaston Lake.