Nearly 2,000 people remain displaced as Saskatchewan battles wildfires

WATCH: Evacuees from Denare Beach and the Town of Creighton may be able to return home in the next few days while other could be heading home sooner.

Nearly 2,000 northern Saskatchewan residents remained displaced from their homes as wildfires continue to rage.

About 15,000 people fled their homes and communities as wildfires swept through northern communities beginning late last month, prompting the province to declare a state of emergency.

“We’re only about halfway through the fire season,” said Steve Roberts, vice president of operations with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) providing an update Friday afternoon.

“We have a fair bit of work before we get to snow time in the fall.”

However, Roberts said repatriation plans are underway and more people are expected to return home in coming days.

“We expect to see repatriation of Whelan Bay, starting later today and tomorrow. We’re looking at an estimate of Creighton and Denare beach repatriating on June 22, which is Sunday, and we’re looking for an announcement update on East Trout Lake later today,” he said.

As of 2 p.m., on Friday, there were 19 active wildfires still burning in northern Saskatchewan with only four of them considered contained.

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Saskatchewan has seen 265 wildfires this year, well above the average of 179 from the previous year.

According to the SPSA, firefighters are trying to bring five wildfires under control, including the Shoe Fire, Pisew Fire, Wolf Fire, Jaysmith Fire, and Santo Fire.

The Shoe fire, which has been the biggest wildfire in Saskatchewan so far this year, has remained the same size at 554,484 hectares and hasn’t grown, according to Roberts.

“We still have a number of highways that are impacted, but for access, which is Highway 912, Highway 927, Highway 167 and Highway 106 by the Creighton entrance from the west, also an update,” Roberts said.

The SPSA says 1,931 values have been lost in the wildfires, including 299 houses and 60 cabins.