With no definite time frame on when power will be restored, the Town of La Ronge, Northern Village of Air Ronge and all six communities of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) have submitted emergency declarations to the province.
La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak said all essential services are still available and residents are not in a dire situation but the declaration opens the communities to emergency funding and puts them on a priority list for resources if needed.
“We’ve been without power for 32 hours. In households we’re seeing temperatures dip to 10 degrees and the outside temp is below zero. We’ve already had freezing rain and snow develop so our biggest concern is keeping people warm,” Ratushniak said. “On top of that, without power it makes it challenging for people to cook adequate food..and again declaring that state of emergency opens up our resources to be able to support residents in the best way we possibly can.”
Submitted photo. Wildfire approaches the Aallcann lumber yard near Whitestar Road Tuesday afternoon. According to a source, staff were moving equipment offsite and working with wildfire fighters to protect treated wood in the area.
Todd Chamberlain was trying to make a phone call when he looked out his front window to see what looked like a puff of smoke rising from the Nisbet forest.
Chamberlain, who lives south of the river on a rural property just east of Prince Albert, spends lots of time looking out his front picture window, taking in the picturesque view of the North Saskatchewan River and Nisbet Provincial Forest.