Flames reach Beauval, Sask.; nearby Patuanak airlifts vulnerable residents to safety

WATCH: Video from the scene of a wildfire near Beauval, Sask. show flames approaching the local highway.

A large wildfire in northwestern Saskatchewan has reached the community of Beauval.

Beauval Mayor Rick Laliberte said the community evacuated essential workers and remaining residents around 3 p.m. Thursday. He said flames from the Muskeg Fire reached the village just before 5:30 p.m.

Firefighters are on the ground protecting homes.

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“It’s just heartbreaking. We couldn’t stop it. This wind is just relentless these last four days. The fire front was just too big,” Laliberte told CTV News.

Among the crews straining to hold back the flames are volunteers from the Davidson Fire Department.

In a post on Facebook Thursday evening, the Davidson crew described the area as “one big hot spot.”

“The fire came in hot and fast at a Level 6 and there was no stopping it,” the fire department said.

“The fire head has now passed through and the area is now one big hot spot. Crews are now patrolling town extinguishing spot fires, protecting structures and values within the community.”

The Davidson members and other crews are “safe and ok,” the post said.

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, as of 11 a.m. Thursday, the Muskeg fire covered 33,967 hectares — nearly double the size of Regina.

Beauval, Sask. is located around 450 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

Exit Strategy

Less than 100 kilometres north of Beauval, the community of Patuanak is airlifting vulnerable residents out of the community, as wildfire has cut off the only road to safety.

English River First Nation (ERFN) and Patuanak declared states of emergency on Wednesday.

While they’re not currently under a direct threat of a wildfire, the only road to the community has been closed for nearly two weeks because of the Muskeg fire, causing concerns regarding limited food, water, and power for the nearly 700 people that live in the area.

“It was getting logistically difficult, especially with the road closed. We’ve had to struggle to get food up to the community quite often,” said Candyce Paul, a co-ordinator with the ERFN emergency management team.

Those with serious health conditions and children are being flown to Buffalo Narrows. The local friendship centre has stepped in to help.

“We’re feeding them, trying to make them feel as comfortable as possible,” said Martin Morin, president of the Buffalo Narrows Friendship Centre.

The friendship centre is expecting to accommodate roughly 200 evacuees while they wait to be bussed to Lloydminster. Morin noted it’s been a challenge finding car seats for the children needing to be bussed.

Meanwhile, those considered to be in good health will remain in Patuanak.

“Our healthy people will be staying back in the community, and we should be able to keep that many people supplied,” Paul said.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said it’s been working with the community.

“It’s not a full evacuation. The community will continue to work with us to evaluate the risk and make a decision at a later time if they need to go,” said Steve Roberts, SPSA vice-president of operations.

Other communities under evacuation include Beauval, Kinoosao, and La Plonge First Nation.

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), there are 57 active wildfires in the province on Friday, including 14 that are not contained.