Wildfire smoke, road closures force 450 people to leave Saskatchewan community
PELICAN NARROWS, Sask. — About 450 people are leaving a northeastern Saskatchewan community because of smoke and road closures caused by wildfires.
The Saskatchewan government says approximately 150 priority residents — the elderly and those with health concerns — and 300 of their family members will be transported from Pelican Narrows to a shelter in Saskatoon.
“There is a threat to their access from wildfire, the highway may be crossed and closed from wildfire and there is also the possibility of having heavy smoke move into the community, which will impact their health-priority patients,” said Deanna Valentine, Emergency Social Services provincial co-ordinator.
Pelican Narrows, which is near the Manitoba boundary, is under a special air quality statement from Environment Canada.