La Ronge blanketed in smoke as wildfires rage across northern Saskatchewan

Yahoo

2 days ago

As wildfires burn across northern Saskatchewan, the community of La Ronge is blanketed in smoke — and grappling with fear and uncertainty.
The area has been under an air quality warning for several days, and while no immediate evacuation orders have been issued, smoke and shifting winds have kept residents alert and anxious.
"There's a lot of smoke," said Tammy Cook-Searson, chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. "It is starting to impact especially children who are asthmatic, or anybody with any compromised health issues."
In response, the band has opened a fresh air shelter inside the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC). The arena, now equipped with large air scrubbers, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. to offer relief for anyone affected by the smoke.
"We just want people to come in here if they want to breathe fresh air to get out of the smoke," said Arnold Mirasty, facility supervisor at JRMCC. "Then we'll serve them coffee, water, whatever we have."
Mirasty said dozens of people showed up the morning after the shelter opened. "I had the purifiers running since yesterday. It's nice in here — and refreshing," he said.
The shelter also provides food, drinks, seating areas and transportation support.
Dr. John-Michael Stevens is a family physician who was working in Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay until a few days ago. He was forced to "leave suddenly" as fire approached the area.
Stevens now works at a hospital in Deschambault Lake, where he has been treating patients — many of whom have been affected by wildfire smoke.
"We've seen cardiac issues, respiratory issues, collapsed lungs, fractures, alcohol withdrawal and seizures," he said.
"They're not all solely related to the smoke, but the smoke certainly doesn't help things."
Stevens said the hospital in Pelican Narrows has also treated a number of high acuity cases for patients who have been affected by the smoke.
Danielle Desjardins, a warning and preparedness meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the poor air quality can pose a high risk for people's health.
WATCH | Wildfires continue to burn large sections of northern Saskatchewan:
"You could get nauseous or have a sore throat, irritated eyes," Desjardins said.
"If you are feeling a little bit sick, head indoors because you know you are putting yourself at risk being outside and inhaling that smoke."
The smoky conditions are expected to continue, as a cold front moves through the southern part of the province, increasing the northwesterly winds, Desjardins said.
She advises those in areas with poor air quality to stay indoors and limit strenuous outdoor activities.
In response to rising social media concerns about wildfires, the La Ronge Regional Fire Department urged calm in a Thursday morning Facebook post.
"There has been some commentary circulating online," the department posted. "At one point, someone insisted that we need to evacuate immediately, creating unnecessary panic. At this point there are no fires that pose an imminent risk."
The post went on to say that smoke and highway closures are normal parts of northern wildfire seasons, and it encouraged people to stay calm and rely on trusted sources, such as the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline, for up-to-date road conditions.
"This is something that we deal with every year," the fire department wrote. "Roads will close, roads will open. There will be smoky days and there will be days you can see large plumes of smoke in the distance. Some days ash will fall, some days it will be clear."
While the community remains on edge, Cook-Searson is calling for more support.
"We need to be able to train our own community members," she said. "We also need the proper equipment, so we're able to fight the fires effectively."
With nearby highways facing road closures, including Highway 165 and Highway 102, Cook-Searson said contingency plans for potential evacuations are still not set due to difficulties in getting out of the area.
"The only way out is by boat or by plane," the chief said. "We need help and more resources to be able to put those contingency plans in place."