Driver slips through raging forest fire in northern Saskatchewan

People in northern Saskatchewan are continuing to deal with numerouswildfires and for one driver, it was an extremely close encounter.

Michelle Hopper posted a video on Facebook Sunday showing a massive fire on either side of High 969, north of Montreal Lake.

The driver, whom she identified as Angel, made it through safely, she said. People who were caught between the two fires also made it through OK, she said.

Hundreds ordered to leave

As thick, heavy smoke blankets northern Saskatchewan, more communities in the region are being evacuated. The list includes: Sucker River, WadinBay, EnglishBay, RamsayBay, Weyakwin, Montreal Lake, Timber Bay, Grandmother Bay andStanley Mission. These communities all comprise the La Ronge area.

On the west side of the province, La Loche, Clearwater and Pinehouse alsohave evacuation orders.

DeannaWysoskey, a spokespersonfor the ministryof social services,confirmed evacuees continue to pour into southern communities.

More than one hundredpeople are in hotels in North Battleford.Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Prince Albert is hosting 125 evacuees, andCarlton High School is housing approximately 200.

Wysoskey said516 peopleare staying in a Saskatooncommunity centre. The ministry is preparingadditional facilities,including a location at the University of Reginaand a second location in Saskatoon at the SaskTel Centre.

Right now, 1,000 people areusing social services because of the fires,Wysoskeyconfirmed.

Highway 2 north of Prince Albert, towards La Rongeremained closedon Monday.

Some Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities are among those threatened by fire,Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said.

"It was heading to Grandmother's Bay yesterday pretty fast and hot, so we had to immediately evacuate."

Cook-Searson saidsome people were stuck at Sucker River Sundaydue to road closures.Highways officials convoyed them through to La Ronge.

More firefighters arrive

To deal with the fires, a team of specialized firefighters have been flown in from Ontario.

The ministry of the environment says a forecast of hot and dry weather meansthe smoky conditions will continue for some time.

There were117 active wildfires in the province as of Mondaymorning, and 511 wildfires across Saskatchewan so far this year.