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The fast moving Lobstick Fire has prompted an evacuation order in the Rural Municipality of Shellbrook and on Saturday Shellbrook Fire and Rescue said in a Facebook post that people driving on the back roads were hampering rescue efforts, with water bombers having to abort drops due to people being where they shouldn’t be.
“It’s human nature to be curious and want to see the fire, smoke, helicopters and water bombers up close,” the Facebook post read. “Emergency vehicles travel quickly and you are putting your own lives and theirs at risk by being out there.”
The evacuation order includes individuals in the RM of Shellbrook who live in the hamlet of Holbein one mile west and five miles east of Shellbrook and are south of Hwy 3 to the rural RM of Shellbrook border.
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Those residents are being told to evacuate immediately.
People can use the oil service road to evacuate. A registration area is set up at the Elks Hall in Shellbrook. The alert said registration is mandatory.
The evacuation order does not include the town.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said on Friday night it was working to evacuate 20 acute care patients and 33 long-term care residents from the Parkland Integrated Health Centre as a pre-emptive action due to risks from wildfires.
As of 10 p.m. Friday, Parkland Integrated Health Centre was still open to anyone who requires emergency care but the SHA said if a mandatory evacuation of the community of Shellbrook is ordered, emergency services at the Parkland Integrated Health Centre will close and emergency services would be available at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital.
A bulletin from the SPSA posted on the RM of Shellbrook Facebook page Friday night said sustained winds were predominately from the southeast and south Friday evening and were to remain that way for the next few days.
“Crews continue to work on the east flank of the south side using heavy equipment with heli bucket support. Type 1 and Type 2 crews are on the ground along with Emergency Response Team members. Air support is working the northwest and northeast flanks and efforts have been able to limit further spread. In addition to the helicopters, water tankers, bird dogs and skimmers are also being utilized,” the bulletin read.
The SPSA wrote the transmission line north of the river in the RM of Shellbrook continues to be assessed. Priority has been given to the further spread of the two spot fires that crossed the river earlier Friday.
Community members are helping each other prepare for what may be coming.
The Lake Country Co-op issued a post on their social media late Friday night to notify residents that they would be opening their store around 9:30 p.m. and will be stocked with a variety of fire response and emergency supplies, including generators, pumps, hoses, water tanks, fuel cans, batteries, flashlights, masks, and other essential items. The store said it would remain open as long as needed to support the community.
Earlier in the day, the SPSA issued a widespread fire ban in the province.
— with files from CKOM News
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