Latest news with #CandycePaul
Economic Times
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Economic Times
Wildfire cuts off remote Canadian village, 700 people stranded as airlifts and boat rescues begin
A fast-moving wildfire has isolated Patuanak, a remote Indigenous community in northern Saskatchewan, after severing its only road access. Emergency responders and supply trucks are blocked, complicating medical access and resupply efforts. While the community is not under direct threat, precautions are being taken, including flying in supplies and evacuating residents with complex health needs. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Around 700 residents of a small northern Saskatchewan hamlet are stranded after a fast-moving wildfire severed the only road connecting them to the outside a remote Indigenous community 425 kilometers north of Saskatoon, became isolated this week when flames engulfed sections of Highway 918, its sole road access point. Officials say the blaze has blocked entry for emergency responders, supply trucks, and families trying to escape.'Essentially they are safe, but they are cut off,' said Candyce Paul, the emergency management coordinator for English River First Nation, which governs the community is not under direct threat from flames, the closest wildfire remains about 60 kilometers away, and the road closure has complicated medical access and resupply efforts. Electricity was briefly lost when power poles were scorched, but SaskPower crews quickly restored keep residents safe, supplies including medications have been flown in, and nurses have traveled by boat to reach the community. Paul says many with complex health needs were evacuated to Cold Lake, Alberta before the road was fully cut off.'The ones that needed to be evacuated, they are 90 percent out,' Paul told CBC nearby Beauval, a village roughly 90 kilometers south of Patuanak, the situation remains tense. The village has blocked road access to prevent non-essential personnel from entering, with over 75 percent of its population now Post issued red alerts for both Patuanak and Beauval, with mail services disrupted due to transportation delays. The post office in Beauval is shut down of Friday, Saskatchewan reported 63 active wildfires, 17 not yet contained, and a total of 334 fires so far this season, significantly above the five-year average of 195. The government has issued over $5.5 million in emergency aid, including $500 payments to adults forced to flee their homes.'We have a team operating up there as well,' Paul said. 'Our emergency management team is making preparations for any scenario that comes up.'
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Wildfire cuts off remote Canadian village, 700 people stranded as airlifts and boat rescues begin
Around 700 residents of a small northern Saskatchewan hamlet are stranded after a fast-moving wildfire severed the only road connecting them to the outside world. Patuanak, a remote Indigenous community 425 kilometers north of Saskatoon, became isolated this week when flames engulfed sections of Highway 918, its sole road access point. Officials say the blaze has blocked entry for emergency responders, supply trucks, and families trying to escape. 'Essentially they are safe, but they are cut off,' said Candyce Paul, the emergency management coordinator for English River First Nation, which governs Patuanak. While the community is not under direct threat from flames, the closest wildfire remains about 60 kilometers away, and the road closure has complicated medical access and resupply efforts. Electricity was briefly lost when power poles were scorched, but SaskPower crews quickly restored service. To keep residents safe, supplies including medications have been flown in, and nurses have traveled by boat to reach the community. Paul says many with complex health needs were evacuated to Cold Lake, Alberta before the road was fully cut off. Live Events 'The ones that needed to be evacuated, they are 90 percent out,' Paul told CBC News. In nearby Beauval, a village roughly 90 kilometers south of Patuanak, the situation remains tense. The village has blocked road access to prevent non-essential personnel from entering, with over 75 percent of its population now evacuated. Canada Post issued red alerts for both Patuanak and Beauval, with mail services disrupted due to transportation delays. The post office in Beauval is shut down entirely. As of Friday, Saskatchewan reported 63 active wildfires, 17 not yet contained, and a total of 334 fires so far this season, significantly above the five-year average of 195. The government has issued over $5.5 million in emergency aid, including $500 payments to adults forced to flee their homes. 'We have a team operating up there as well,' Paul said. 'Our emergency management team is making preparations for any scenario that comes up.'
CBC
16 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
700 people stranded in northern Sask. community after wildfire blocks road
Social Sharing About 700 people in a small hamlet in northern Saskatchewan are stranded Friday after a wildfire knocked out the only road into their community. Poor internet connection? CBC Lite is our low-bandwidth website. Patuanak, a hamlet about 500 kilometres north of Saskatoon and 100 kilometres north of recently evacuated Beauval, Sask., is typically only accessible by road via Highway 918. This week the highway was cut off by a wildfire, preventing people from leaving, and blocking direct access to supplies and emergency crews. "Essentially they are safe but they are cut off," said Candyce Paul, emergency management co-ordinator for the English River First Nation, which Patuanak is a part of. "They had lost power once as poles got burned, but SaskPower was quickly able to protect the road enough to restore the power." Speaking from the La Plonge Reserve just outside Beauval, Paul said there isn't any immediate danger to Patuanak from wildfires or heavy smoke. The nearest wildfire, she said, was still around 60 kilometres away. "Medical services are all up there. There's an airport up there. We have a team operating up there as well. Our emergency management team is making preparations for any scenario that comes up." Paul said essentials like pharmaceuticals have been brought in by air, while a team of nurses was able to travel to the community by boat. Many community members with complex medical needs were able to leave before the road was cut off, Paul said, many of them taking refute in Cold Lake, Alta. "The ones that needed to be evacuated, they are 90 per cent out," Paul said. On Friday morning, the English River First Nation emergency management team announced that La Plonge had been fully evacuated. Beauval closes road Meanwhile, the town of Beauval announced it had blocked the road into the community to prevent non-essential personnel from entering. Traffic will still be allowed to exit the community, which is now more than 75 per cent evacuated. The town also announced that the Travelodge in Saskatoon being used as a muster point is now full. Evacuees will be assigned to new hotels.
