Northern wildfires force 1,000 residents from homes

As emergency crews in northern Saskatchewan continue to battle wildfires, approximately 1,000 residents have to leave their homes Saturdaydue to inhalation dangers from smoke.

The thick smoke is affecting large parts of the La Ronge and La Loche areas.

As of Saturday morning, evacuees registered with Social Services were staying in Saskatoon, Prince Albertand North Battleford, totalling 195 people.

Since the weekend hit, 40 new fires were ignited by lightning strikes, bringing the total to 113 fires, reported Steve Roberts with the Ministry of the Environment.

Smoke from those fires, plus wildfire smoke carried over from Alberta has prompted the increased evacuation orders, Roberts said.

Of particular concern is the Eli fire, which prompted evacuation orders for English Bay, Wadin Bay and Sucker River.

Roberts said the Clark fire forced anevacuation order for the Lac La RongeProvincial Park.

It also added to the smoky conditions at Stanley Mission.

Roberts confirmed this year's fires are the worst his ministry has seen the past decade, requiring more than700people to be involved with firefighting and rescue efforts.

One improvement from Friday is that Highway 102, a major route opening up La Ronge to northern Saskatchewan, has reopened, reported highways spokesman Joel Cherry.