PRINCE ALBERT Ron and Al Desjardin don’t run to the grocery store when they need something to eat – instead, the brothers hit the ground to trap, hunt and pick berries and medicines. Their traditional lands are being threatened by nearly 150 wildfires roaring through northern Saskatchewan. A fire has destroyed their trapline north of Turnor Lake, which has been passed on from their father and grandfather. “Not only are we losing our traplines, we’re losing our livelihoods, our ability to hunt and sustain ourselves,” Ron said. “What am I going to do now? And it’s the same for my grandchildren. Where am I going to take them now, if I want to show them where the traplines are?”
Saskatoon / 650 CKOM
Jul 15, 2021 | 5:01 PM
Signs are up on the highway at Candle Lake ready to welcome any evacuees heading south from Whelan Bay.(Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)
An evacuation order has been issued for areas of Whelan Bay, which is 35 minutes north of Candle Lake.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued the evacuation order at 3:08 p.m., due to a wildfire that is threatening the residents and vacationers.
The wildfire which sparked into life at 1 p.m. is fast moving and individuals who reside, camp or work in the Whelan Bay (White Swan Lake) subdivisions or campgrounds are required to evacuate immediately.
Melfort, SK, Canada / CJVR Today s Best Country
Jul 15, 2021 | 4:15 PM
An evacuation order has been issued for Whelan Bay (White Swan Lake) subdivisions or campgrounds. Whelan Bay is 35 minutes north of Candle Lake.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued the evacuation order at 3:08 p.m. due to a wildfire that is threatening the residents and vacationers.
The wildfire -which sparked into life at 1 p.m. – is fast moving and individuals who reside or camp or work in the Whelan Bay (White Swan Lake) subdivisions or campgrounds are required to evacuate immediately.
All evacuees are asked to register at the Candle Lake Community Hall, #20 Highway 265, Candle Lake.
Camping is growing in popularity in Saskatchewan.
Wildfires, fire bans, blocked-off highways and cooler-than-average temperatures await campers looking to spend time outside this May long weekend, but many people are willing to soldier through.
A weekend of bizarre weather has been forecast for the province. A wildfire near Prince Albert has also hurt the air quality in the area and forced the closure of Highway 55 north of the city before it reopened Thursday.
Throw in COVID-19 restrictions, and you have an informal start to summer like no other.
Despite those factors, very few people are cancelling their reservations.
Robin Campese, the executive director of visitor experiences with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, said only 27 people had cancelled sites throughout the entire province as of Thursday evening.