Sask. wildfire flare-up forces evacuations
More people have been forced to flee northern Saskatchewan communities due to wildfire smoke.
The village of La Loche declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon. The community ordered evacuations for higher-risk individuals. Children under five and pregnant women were also included in the order.
In a notice to the community, the village also said others could choose to evacuate voluntarily.
Buses were scheduled to leave the village Wednesday morning to transport evacuees to Regina.
Nearby Clearwater River Dene Nation also ordered evacuations for high-risk individuals.
Buses started loading up with evacuees just before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to an update from the community on social media.
The buses were heading to a hotel in Cold Lake, according to the update.
In another update, shared late Wednesday morning, the Frist Nation said nine dozers will build a fire guard to the west of the community.
While a recent rainy weather system helped in the fight against the province's wildfires, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) anticipates the risk of wildfire will remain high in the northwest for at least another day.
According to the SPSA, there were 20 active wildfires in the province as of early Wednesday afternoon. Eight of the blazes were considered uncontained.
In an update to media, the SPSA said it continues to support around 264 evacuees from Patuanak and English River, Dillon, Michel Village and St. George’s Hill.
Around 90 people are currently evacuating from the village of La Loche for Regina, the SPSA said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
It could take years to catch up on child vaccinations in Ontario post-pandemic
Ontario is still playing catch up on routine vaccinations that many children missed during the pandemic and public health officials are warning that it could take years to solve the problem.