Fire crews in the Prince Albert area are answering the call for help.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency mentioned they called in qualified type 3 regular firefighters to help with the fire fighting efforts in the northern part of the province. Garry Schrader, Chief of the Buckland Fire Department confirmed they sent three members, as well as equipment – one tanker and one utility wildland unit.
“We are not doing much around our area and I thought we could spare a couple units. I just hope the boys are safe when they go up there because I guess it’s pretty bad up in that area,” he said.
Prince Albert Daily Herald
Fire Chief Kris Olsen speaks to the media just inside Prince Albert city limits on Thursday, May 20. Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
You could see the relief on Prince Albert Fire Chief Kris Olsen’s face Thursday afternoon, as emergency crews took a much-needed breather and prepared to allow evacuees back into their homes.
Hwy 55 opened to traffic at reduced speeds at 5 p.m., allowing residents from the RM of Buckland and City of Prince Albert to access their properties. Olsen said it’s a proud moment for the City’s firefighters, some of whom battled the Cloverdale Fire for up to 40 hours straight before it was contained.