Wildfire forces evacuation of southwestern Saskatchewan communities

A wildfire fueled by high winds has forced the evacuation of several communities in southwest Saskatchewan.

The town of Leader, roughly 85 kilometres southwest of Kindersley, Sask.,is among the communities being evacuated from the southwestern area of the province due to a fire burning near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.The town of more than 800 residents has declared a local state of emergency.

Leader residents are being asked to evacuate to Kindersley.

Residents of the nearby communities ofBurstall andLiebenthalare also being asked to leave their homes. Burstallresidents have reportedly evacuated to either Kindersley,to the north, or Fox Valley, to the south, according toa Saskatchewan provincial government spokesperson.

Jackie Penny, who farms north of Burstall, said she was driving towardthe townto help fight the firewhen she was forced to turn around.

"It just enveloped the sun. You couldn't even see the sun in some spots, and there were leaves flying and tumbleweeds. It was crazy," she said. "I've never seen anything like that in my life."

Highway 21has been closed due to the fire threat.

According to the province of Saskatchewan, a rapid response team has been dispatched to assist local fire departments with fighting the fire and evacuating the area.

The area is currently under a wind warning, with gusts of 90 to 100 km/h expected into Tuesday night, according to Environment Canada.

Burstall, Sask. grass fire video

7 years ago

Duration 0:13

Chelsi Bader shared this video of a grass fire that has evacuated Burstall, Sask.

SaskEnergy has above-ground facilities in theBurstallarea and is sending technicians to see if they are at risk from the fire, according to a Saskatchewan provincial government spokesperson.

The Crown corporation'sSouthBayhurststation west of the communityis being monitored by an operator, she said.

SaskEnergy's regional office in Swift Current is also sending technicians to the region to check on thefacilities.

Smoke hazard

Burstall's deputy mayorDavid Pidlisnysaid there washeavy smoke on the south side of the town when he spoke to CBC News early Tuesday afternoon.

At the time, it wasnot yet encroaching on the town.

"But it is moving rapidly and it's unknown whether it will reach the town or bypass the town," he said. "It depends on wind direction."