Sask. wildfires continue to prompt evacuations from First Nations communities
CBC
Wildfires in Saskatchewan are continuing to prompt evacuations from First Nation communities in Saskatchewan.
The Saulteaux First Nation, located about 43 kilometres north of North Battleford, began evacuating areas close to a wildfire on Thursday night.
On Thursday, North Battleford's Fire Chief Lindsay Holm advised against driving into the community, as the Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) are working to evacuate the community and traffic is hindering efforts to fight the fire and move people to safety.
The BATC posted on Facebook that the wildfire on Saulteaux First Nation was contained at 4 a.m. CST on Friday and no homes were lost.
Wildfires are also affecting the nearby Moosomin First Nation. On Thursday the BATC said there were fires burning on the west, northeast and east side of the First Nation.
On Thursday evening, the BATC estimated that almost 3,900 hectares of land had burned or was burning.
Arnold Blackstar, the Moosomin First Nation's band manager, said residents from about 15 homes near the fires had been moved to safer places on the reserve. He said he was concerned about the fire continuing to spread.
"The concern is it is dry, it is hot and the wind is shifting, there's no rain in the forecast unfortunately," Blackstar said on Thursday afternoon.
"The concern is for other residents and even surrounding communities to refrain from any open fire in their locations and to observe public safety orders that have been issued by the province and the municipalities."
Blackstar said he is grateful for firefighting assistance from Moosomin First Nation and other neighbouring communities, including North Battleford, Prince Albert and other First Nations.
"The current volunteers that we have now, this is their third day," Blackstar said. "The heat and exhaustion is setting in.
"If there's volunteers out there that are willing to come out and help — we would certainly welcome that now."
Blackstar said the First Nation will welcome volunteers of any kind, whether they join the firefighters on the frontline or supporting secondary or third level services, such as helping evacuees or ensuring the firefighters have proper supplies.
Blackstar added that wildfires of this significance can threaten the First Nation's traditional practices.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
A decade after a promised boom in the liquified natural gas industry failed to materialize, Canada has arrived at the starting line, rekindling some aspirations of becoming a major LNG player.
Dave has learned the hard way that you don't want the wrong person getting a hold of your social insurance number.
Just a few years ago, Canada Day was going through a serious identity crisis.
The Victoria Volunteer Fire Department is back in action as tensions between fire Chief Justin Parsons and town Mayor Barry Dooley have been resolved.
When Patricia Mombourquette was getting ready for a swim in Lake Micmac last week, she was greeted by a foul stench and the unsightly presence of hundreds of dead snails that had floated to the surface.
Community groups in Winnipeg are pushing for a more restorative approach to policing and prosecuting racialized communities in Winnipeg.
Three coastal First Nations have worked together to come up with a plan to move a grizzly bear that's been causing problems on Texada Island — just off B.C.'s Sunshine Coast — but so far, the province has not signed off.
After an Alberta judge granted a temporary injunction blocking a provincial law that would ban doctors from providing gender-affirming care to youth, Premier Danielle Smith said she intends to fight the decision in court.
The N.W.T. government is preparing to send a second barge up the Mackenzie River to the Sahtu region in the next few weeks.
The Canadian government has ordered Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer Hikvision to cease operations in Canada over national security concerns, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said late on Friday.
Police have charged a man with uttering threats after an incident during a U13 girls soccer game in Vaughan last week where coaches say a parent threatened to stab someone.
Public pools around Calgary are no longer treading water, after years of staffing shortages forced cuts to swimming lessons and operating hours.
In a room full of tall metal cabinets, Julissa Roncal carefully flicks through stacks of manila folders. They're filled with pages of expertly pressed and dried plant specimens.