The long weekend may be over, but the SPSA is reminding everyone to follow fire bans, and take extra care to prevent more wildfires in Saskatchewan.

In its update on the fire situation today (Tuesday), the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency talked about the “Shaw” fire burning near Buffalo Narrows.  Marlo Pritchard says there was some help from the weather which allowed crews to build some fire guards, and secure certain areas.

There are 23 active fires in Saskatchewan, and only three are contained.

The largest fire is north of Pinehouse. The so called “Smith” fire is over 129 thousand hectares in size, that 1290 square kilometres.

Pinehouse is getting a double dose of fire with the “Wistigo” fire south east of Pinehouse  scorching over 56 thousand hectares so far.

The two fires burning in the north, near Buffalo Narrows are also a little larger.  The “Vermette” fire is 65,547 hectares in size, while the Shaw fire is almost 101 thousand hectares in size.

The province is still benefitting from some water bombers loaned from the province of Quebec, but that is all of the outside help the SPSA has needed so far.

Cooler temperatures and some rain could bring some relief to the fire lines, but there is no timeline for allowing people forced out of communities to return home.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is assisting people who have been forced from their homes with food and lodging, and even some activities set up for the evacuees over the long weekend.

Below is the SPSA’s Marlo Pritchard giving the update for Tuesday, May 23rd.  We offer this up un-edited for you to listen to.