‘A beehive of activity’: Sask. village braces for wildfire threat, strong winds fuel concerns

(Photo courtesy: Bernice John-Sinclair)

As wildfires near Beauval, Sask. force hundreds of residents to flee their homes, one general store manager has chosen to stay behind to support essential workers.

Sab Damodharan and his family are remaining in the community to keep the Beauval General Store open to provide food and fuel to firefighters and other essential workers.

“I know how important it is to stay open for essential staff, that’s why I decided to stay,” Damodharan said in an interview with CTV News on Friday.

He said the store is not currently under a direct threat of the fire, but that could change quickly.

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“Right now, the wind is really, really crazy,” he said.

Beauval Mayor Rick Laliberte is keeping a close eye on the direction of the wind.

“We’re praying that we don’t get an east wind, because if it’s an east wind, it’s coming directly to our village,” he said.

According to Laliberte, about 100 firefighters are in the community, building fire guards and setting up sprinklers.

“It’s just a beehive of activity in the village right now for defense,” he said.

There are roughly 350 registered evacuees – about half of Beauval’s population – and Laliberte said he expects that number to grow in the coming days.

Nearby La Plonge First Nation is also under evacuation. Community member Bernice John-Sinclair said she chose not to leave because of a chronic illness. While the situation is unsettling, she said she remains calm.

“Learn to stay calm. Make sure you get the right information. Don’t panic. Make sure you have everything you need. Be prepared,” John-Sinclair said.

As of Saturday afternoon, there were 64 active wildfires burning in Saskatchewan with 20 not contained, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s website.