Wildfires are continuing in the Moosomin and Saulteaux First Nation areas. (Submitted photo/Sheldon Fox, BATC Communications)

By Angela Brown

Continuing efforts

Moosomin and Saulteaux First Nations still battling wildfires

May 5, 2023 | 9:11 PM

Wildfire suppression efforts continue in Saulteaux and Moosomin First Nations.

Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) communications co-ordinator Sheldon Fox said the fires “have been contained” in Saulteaux First Nation as of Friday morning.

“No houses have been lost,” he told battlefordsNOW.

But Fox noted the wildfires started again in Moosomin.

“The fire have been reignited that were put out,” he said. “So, the efforts there are still ongoing.”

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Fox mentioned as of Thursday’s update, there were no houses lost in Moosomin.

However, he added that firefighters and volunteers are facing challenges trying to put out the fires.

“Suppression efforts are troubled right now,” Fox said. “They are hindered with traffic going in, pedestrians entering, just to go take photos for social media. But without them there, it’s been pretty good.”

He’s encouraging people to stay away from the Saulteaux-Moosomin area to let firefighters do their work to battle the ongoing fires.

“We’re asking people not to come by. We don’t want people going there unless you live there.”

Due to the proximity of the fire, BATC indicated on its Fire Update Page on Facebook that evacuation efforts have been proceeding.

BATC advised that Elders closer to the fires were being moved into North Battleford.

As part of the suppression efforts, two water planes were used to drop water over the Saulteaux fires Thursday, and heavy duty equipment was deployed to form a barrier of protection around the fires.

The North Battleford Fire Department, Meota Fire and District Fire Department, and Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency assisted with the efforts.

Saulteaux community members were advised Friday they are now under a ‘Do Not Consume Water’ advisory. To maintain an adequate amount of water in the reservoir, the water treatment plant for the Saulteaux Community Water Distribution System has been forced to suspend the treatment process to provide enough water to maintain firefighting capabilities. People are asked to not drink the water until further notice.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow