SASKATCHEWAN — Saskatchewan is experiencing a higher number of wildfires to date than in the past five years.
During a Sask. Public Safety Agency (SPSA) media scrum, the agency confirmed the province has seen 135 wildfires as of May 9 — 19 more than at the same time last year.
Additionally, 135 wildfires are more than double the average number seen to date over the past five years, which is 65.
Bryan Chartrand, the SPSA's director of land operations, said every single fire so far has been human-caused.
"So, [for example], a UTV or ATV [that] you're riding, its spark arrestor [can] start a fire in the dry grass, or it could be people burning a brush."
Since the soil in the province is currently dry, fires can spark easily, he added.
As of 10:30 a.m. on May 9, the SPSA reported 24 active wildfires. Of those, 12 were contained, nine were not, and three were 小蓝视频 assessed.
Chartrand said the SPSA is currently focused on a fire near Onion Lake due to its size and proximity to population.
With the increase in fires, Chartrand wouldn’t say whether this year will turn out to be a more intense summer.
However, he did say continued dry conditions would lead to a busy one.
Chartrand is hoping the province will see a few days of showers, as that would drastically change the conditions.
Since several fires are burning throughout the province, fire bans have been put in place for may areas in the province. These include areas surrounding Saskatoon, Regina, Melville and more.
A full list of the bans
With these bans, the SPSA is reminding the public not to drive on dry grass, to put out campfires until embers are cool, and to speak with children about the importance of fire safety.
