Saskatchewan wildfires destroy dozens of homes, cabins

At least 81 homes and cabins have been destroyed by Saskatchewan wildfires, fire officials say.

According to Steve Roberts, who heads the province's wildfire management branch, crews are getting updates on the number of structures hit by forest fires since May.

The latestnumber, 81,includes bothprincipal residences and seasonal cabins, Roberts said.

That's up from last week, when about 60 burned structures had been identified.

Meanwhile, despite some rain and cooler temperatures, it's clearthe war against northern Saskatchewan wildfires is not over yet.

Saskatchewan government officials said Monday thatseven new fires were sparked since yesterday and the total number of active fires is 127.

While temperatures have cooled, the one to three millimetres ofrain the region received over the weekend didn't do much to quell the fires.

However, there are 1,500 people on the ground fighting the blazes, supported by 59 helicopters and 20 tankers.

About 13,000 people from 50 communitieshave been forced out of their homes. A relativelysmall number ofevacuees were cleared togo home today.