Thousands more evacuated as wildfires spread in Western Canada

Smoke and flames rise from a forest in the LaRonge, Sask., area in this July 1, 2015 handout photo. (Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

New evacuation orders in northern Saskatchewan have forced several thousand more people from their homes, as wildfires continue to rage through Western Canada.

Saskatchewan has been hit hard in recent days, with officials in La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band issuing evacuation orders on Saturday afternoon as flames drew nearer.

Saskatchewan fire Chief Duane McKay told The Canadian Press that about 7,900 people could be affected.

The Red Cross and the Alberta government plan to accept up to 5,000 evacuees in Cold Lake starting Saturday afternoon.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said that the local Canadian Forces base will also offer up its facilities.

Wall has briefed Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the situation, and Harper has offered his support.

Firefighters also returned to Montreal Lake First Nation in northern Saskatchewan earlier on Saturday, after retreating from a blaze fanned by strong winds. The fire burned five houses and a trailer on Friday night in the evacuated community.

Compared to last year, Saskatchewan has experienced more than triple the total number of wildfires this season, the government reported.

Dry conditions, strong winds and high temperatures have made it difficult for fire crews to put out the more than 100 wildfires burning across the province, with only seven of those fires contained.

The fires have now forced more than 12,000 people to evacuate their homes in the past week, with no knowledge of when they might be able to return.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced on Saturday that firefighters from South Dakota have come to help battle the blaze.

Wildfires have also hit the rest of Western Canada, with B.C. and Alberta experiencing similar hot and dry conditions.

Port Hardy, B.C. declared a state of emergency on Saturday as a wildfire forced the evacuation of 100 homes. The fire is one of 64 that are active across the province.

There were also more than 120 wildfires burning across Alberta, with hundreds of northern residents put on evacuation alert.

Smoke from the wildfires has triggered health concerns and forced the closure of several highways in Western Canada. The smoke is expected to spread throughout much of B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan by early next week, as above-normal temperatures climb into the mid-30s.

Many of the fires are believed to have been started by lightning, but fire bans are still in effect for each province. Any tourists planning to travel to Western Canada are asked to make sure they won’t be entering an evacuated area.

With files from CTV Regina and the Canadian Press.