Saskatchewan Evacuations Prompted by Wildfire Threat to Beauval

Residents of Beauval, Saskatchewan, have faced significant challenges as a wildfire, known as the Muskeg fire, approached their community. A full evacuation order was issued on Thursday afternoon as the fire came alarmingly close to the village, prompting local authorities to direct evacuees to nearby cities such as Saskatoon and Moose Jaw for safety and support.

Bertha Durocher, a Beauval resident who fled with her mother and three grandchildren, expressed her gratitude for the assistance provided in Saskatoon. “We’re getting fed and we have a place to sleep,” she stated. She emphasized the importance of taking things “one day at a time” during this distressing period. Fellow evacuee Darwin Martin described the evacuation as a frightening experience, noting that the emergency order instilled a sense of seriousness about the situation.

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), fire crews worked tirelessly through the night to protect homes in Beauval, successfully diverting the heaviest part of the blaze along the village’s western side. Steve Roberts, the SPSA’s vice-president of operations, confirmed that the fire “came right to the edge of town” but no significant damage occurred to homes or buildings. “As the fire approached, we worked on protecting the town site itself,” he said, highlighting efforts to extinguish spot fires caused by embers.

Despite the immediate danger having been averted, the SPSA cautioned that it may take several days before residents can return home. The Muskeg fire, which ignited on June 28, 2023, due to a lightning strike, continues to be classified as “not contained” and has expanded to cover over 95,000 hectares to the north and west of Beauval.

Local authorities reported that by Friday, around 924 people had been displaced from their homes throughout Saskatchewan due to ongoing wildfires, with nearly 700 of those evacuees originating from Beauval. Mayor Rick Laliberte noted the swift actions of volunteers who spent considerable time ensuring all residents had evacuated safely. “It was a blur,” he recalled, detailing how the fire crossed the highway and neared the village’s sports and recreation grounds. Fortunately, only one building—a canteen—sustained significant damage, a fact Laliberte termed “a miracle.”

As the situation develops, evacuation orders remain in place for multiple communities, including the Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge, La Plonge Reserve, and Patuanak English River First Nation. Residents in these areas have also experienced mandatory evacuations due to the Muskeg fire’s threat. Crews are conducting airlifts for some residents to ensure their safety, especially in areas where highway access has been compromised.

Local and provincial officials continue to monitor the situation closely. In a statement, Leroy Laliberte, the NDP MLA for Athabasca, expressed his condolences to those affected by the fires, affirming that the Saskatchewan NDP Caucus would work diligently to provide necessary support. “My heart goes out to people forced from their homes as wildfires rage in the area,” he said.

The SPSA has implemented a fire ban for the region north of the provincial forest boundary and up to the Churchill River, further emphasizing the ongoing risks posed by wildfires in Saskatchewan. As conditions remain volatile, residents are urged to stay informed and heed evacuation orders as needed.