Rain expected to hit wildfires in northern Sask. this weekend

With wildfires tearing through northern Saskatchewan, some hope is on the horizon in the form of much-needed rain.

David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, said there is rain in the forecast this weekend for several areas impacted by the wildfires, including La Ronge, Denare Beach, and Candle Lake.

“It’s not going to be the saviour rain,” Phillips said during an interview on the CKOM Morning Show.

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“It won’t squelch the flames everywhere. It might dampen the smoke a bit, and it will give some hope that there is an end in sight (and) also slow down the fires.”

Listen to the full interview with Phillips:

Phillips said some parts of the province will likely be hit with rain starting on Friday night and into Saturday, while areas closer to the Manitoba border are expecting rain to fall on Saturday and into Sunday.

Phillips said the rain is also set to be accompanied by cooler temperatures.

“I think this will improve the situation, but not cure it totally,” he said.

The rain is badly needed because conditions have been hot and dry for so long, Phillips added.

“What we want is the kind of rain that would ruin your weekend or your holidays,” he said. “That would bring joy to everybody.”

Phillips said the system is also bringing favourable winds that should help drive the wildfire smoke further north, away from the where most people live in the province.

Batoche Festival Grounds open to evacuees

The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan has opened the Batoche Festival Grounds to evacuees forced to leave their homes due to the wildfires.

“The Batoche grounds are open to anyone who needs a safe place,” President Glen McCallum said in a statement.

“In northern Saskatchewan, when you take any community, they’re mixed: Métis, First Nations, and non-Indigenous. Wildfires have no borders, and we’re not going to create borders, it’s just a matter of fine-tuning the partnership we have with Métis, First Nations, and non-Indigenous people. As always at Batoche, there’s room for everyone.”

The Métis Nation said there were already more than 100 people on the festival grounds southwest of Prince Albert, and staff at the site are offering trappers tents equipped with cots and wi-fi service, along with traditional food and cultural activities.

A donation centre has been established in Saskatoon’s Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. on Avenue M South. The Métis Nation said the items needed most urgently are toiletries, diapers, baby wipes, formula and clean bedding, along with masks, air purifiers and work gloves.

In Prince Albert, the city’s exhibition grounds have also been opened to evacuees.

–with files from 650 CKOM