Fort McMurray fire crosses border, but no significant threat

A small portion of the Fort McMurray wildfire has crossed the border into Saskatchewan but officials say the situation hasn’t changed a great deal.

The fire is now in Saskatchewan after remaining five kilometres from the border over Tuesday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 18. However it still remains 30 km away from La Loche, the closest Saskatchewan community.

“No immediate threat to any communities with the exception of the possibility of smoke and we’re monitoring that in La Loche and some of the surrounding communities to ensure we have a good handle on that,” Emergency management commissioner Duane McKay said.

Wildfire Management executive director Steve Roberts said the fire isn’t as fast in Saskatchewan.

“This fire is not moving as aggressively as it is in Alberta, it’s actually taken a number of days even to move a few kilometres towards the border,” he said.

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Smoke is still the biggest concern from the Fort McMurray fire, but Roberts said the forecast will lend a helping hand and they don’t expect a large movement into Saskatchewan in the next couple days.

“There will be a wind shift forecasted for today, (Thursday, May 19) the next 24 to 36 hours. Winds will come from the east, move towards Alberta which will push the smoke and fire back. It will also allow our crews access to the base of the fire in less smoky conditions so we can engage the fire better,” said Roberts.

Officials have been meeting on a daily basis to make sure ministries and agencies are coordinated to move at a particular time in case the Fort McMurray fire spreads further or a Saskatchewan fire expands.

“We continue to refine our plans and work closely with municipalities and First Nations and to ensure that they are ready. That they have good communications between the province and the local decision makers and deal with the people living in those particular areas,” said McKay.

Merv Tippe with the ministry of health says they have had no indications significant increases in visits to health facilities because of the smoke.

Crews have also been fighting a new 40-hectare fire which started on the border between Saskatchewan and Alberta in the vicinity of the Fort McMurray fire.

Nine wildfires are burning in Saskatchewan. Seven are contained while two remain out of control.

mkelly@jpbg.ca