Hot and dry conditions continue to grip the province as the wildfire situation in Saskatchewan continues to worsen. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency reported there were 156 wildfires burning in the province, with just nine being contained. The fires range from up near Lake Athabasca, all the way to Rouleau in the south. 

The largest of the fires is north of Smeaton. The fire was reported Saturday to be 30,000 hectares, or 300 square kilometres, in size. This is larger than either Regina or Saskatoon and has been getting closer to Highway 106. Currently, helicopters, air tankers and heavy equipment, as well as crews on the ground, are working to contain the blaze.  

Another fire on the west side of the province, near Dillon, has crews working to protect the communities of St. George’s Hill, Michel, Dillon and Buffalo River Dene First Nation.  

Smoke from the fires continues to be moved around the province, although a shift in the winds could lead to an improvement in some areas, but a worsening in others. Winds are expected to be blowing from the east which will push much of the smoke towards Alberta. Come Monday morning, though, the same winds from the east will start to push smoke from fires in Manitoba into the province, particularly the southeast corner.  

This year has seen an extremely busy wildfire season, with 412 wildfires reported to date. This is well above the five-year average of 212.  

The hot and dry conditions have the SPSA reporting an extreme fire risk for southern and central Saskatchewan. Fire bans are also in place in 157 rural municipalities and in 50 urban municipalities.