Emergency shelters are quickly filling up as thousands of evacuees flee from wildfires in northern Saskatchewan.

More than 3,000 people have been forced from their homes in the La Ronge and La Loche areas, provincial fire centre manager Scott Wasylenchuk said Tuesday. The number of evacuees was expected to grow later in the day.

People have been pouring into emergency shelters in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and North Battleford, and some evacuees have had to travel further south to Regina.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, roughly 1,200 evacuees were being temporarily housed in Prince Albert; 900 in Saskatoon; 700 in Regina and 200 in North Battleford.

Officials say 3,000 more shelter beds are available in Regina, and arrangements are being made to increase shelter capacity in the three other cities.

There were 108 fires burning in the province as of Tuesday morning. That tally includes 11 new fires that have flared up.

“It’s probably the most complicated fire season I’ve seen because we have many fires of fairly large size scattered right across and a lot of them are right around communities,” said Wasylenchuk.

Efforts to attack the fires from the air have been hampered by the thick smoke, which has left air tankers grounded for safety reasons.

More than 700 workers are currently battling the fires, and more manpower and equipment is being brought in from Eastern Canada.

“We are facing significant threats and we have not had much relief from that,” said Colin King, deputy commissioner of the province’s emergency management and fire safety branch.

“It has been a massive effort on all fronts.”

So far, no major injuries have been reported, and officials are working to confirm how many structures have been impacted by the fires. Some sections of road are closed near the affected areas, according to the provincial Highway Hotline.

A special air quality statement remained in effect for all of Saskatchewan, except Lloydminster, as smoke from the fires lingered over the province.

Those who want to help fire victims can donate to the Saskatchewan Red Cross online or by calling 1-800-418-1111.