Wildfires won't be smothered anytime soon in northern Sask.

Gusting, shifting winds on the weekend sustained northern Saskatchewan's dynamic wildfire situation, and the flames won't be extinguished anytime soon.

"We're talking hundreds of thousands of hectares here. They're not going out any time soon," Saskatchewan Wildfire Management executive directorSteve Robertssaid Monday.

"Weather may be coming, weather may be put off."

He said that means thefocus remains on stabilizing the fires threatening communities, so people can return home while work continues.

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Crews continueto cut the fire's fuelusingaerial ignition,despite difficult weather conditions.

Another evacuation

Late Monday, about 20 people from the Tyrell Lake area joined the thousands of evacuees who had already left the area when emergency services asked them to leave.

There were concerns the Granite fire, which now spans 1,100 square kilometres, was edging closer to the Tyrell Lake recreational subdivision near Highway 106.

The highway was closed temporarily on Monday but the fire did not end up reaching the community.

More communities threatened

Three large fires continue to threaten communities in the north and pose concern to theprovince.People have been evacuated fromJan Lake and Birch Portage because of the Granite fire, which has grown to be six times the size of Regina.

The Preston fire,burning mere kilometres away from Pelican Narrows, had grown to be two-and-a-half times the size of the city of Regina. Almost all residents have leftthe community.

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Only theWilkinFire remained stable during the weekend at 6,000 hectares.

On Tuesday,2,797people were receiving assistance from the Ministry of Social Services. Of the evacuees, 807 were staying inSaskatoon and1,990in Prince Albert.

Strain on services in Prince Albert

DeannaValentine from the Ministry of Social Services said it was typical for people who are eager to go home to start shiftingnorth in readiness for the evacuation order to lift.

But she said the disproportionate number strains thehealth-care systems and the hotels.The province hasasked some evacuees if theywould transfer to Saskatoon.

"If we can even those numbers out a little bit it will provide a little bit more breathing room for the evacuated residents," said Valentine.

Some evacuees have volunteered to resettle, but the province would still like to see more.

However, the province notedthat many of the evacuees havefamily in Prince Albert.

Chief to decide on return to community

The province said the decision to have people return to the community will be led by Chief Peter Beatty in consultation with provincial officials.

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Commissioner of fire safetyDuane McKay said they are always looking for a right time to return people home. He said the province has heldregular briefings with community leaders.

"The decision to go back is really the local leaders', and that is under theirauthority that the people were taken out. We're in support of that."

Convoys to Creighton start Tuesday

The Ministry of Highways will start allowing escorted convoyson Highway 106 from the junction of Highway 135to the community of Creighton on Tuesday. Residents will be able to join the convoys from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, as long as conditions allow it.

Because the departure of the convoys depends on visibility and fire conditions, the ministry said there could still be significant wait times.

The fires, by the numbers

As of Tuesday morning, 34 wildfires were active in the province. Five are not contained, meaning they are expected to grow in size. Firefighters are focused on protecting property threatened by six active wildfires and 19 require regular monitoring.

The fires are being tackled by more than300 people,21 helicopters, 15 pieces of heavy equipment and the provincial air tanker fleet.

There havebeen 326 wildfires in the province this year.