REGINA - The Saskatchewan government is pledging to support the Northwest Territories as they battle a serious wildfire situation.
The City of Yellowknife is currently under an evacuation order for all 20,000 residents to leave by Friday. Most are being evacuated to Alberta at the moment, either by plane to Calgary or on the highway out of the city. But the indication from Saskatchewan is they are interested in helping house evacuees as well.
On social media Thursday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said on the X platform that he has been in contact with NWT Premier Caroline Cochrane to offer support to evacuees in Saskatchewan if needed. Right now there are no specifics about what that could entail, beyond a general pledge by the Sask. Premier to provide accommodations.
“I have been in touch with Premier Cochrane to offer whatever assistance we can provide to the Northwest Territories in their evacuation of Yellowknife and other communities. We are prepared to provide temporary accommodation for evacuees if required, along with support on the ground fighting the fires in NWT,” Moe stated.
Here is a full statement from the Government of Saskatchewan issued Thursday:
“The Government of Saskatchewan is prepared to provide temporary accommodation for evacuees if required, along with direct support fighting the fires in NWT.
“Today, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) deployed an Incident Management Team (5 staff), two Agency representatives and 40 Type 1 wildland firefighters to support the wildfire efforts in Northwest Territories. The group left from the Prince Albert Airport this morning and is expected to be out of the province for approximately two weeks, but they can be called back to Saskatchewan at any time should the need arise.
“Currently, 16 Saskatchewan wildland firefighters are deployed in the Yukon to help local ground crews in their efforts to contain wildfires burning in the territory.
“Through mutual agreements and partnerships, the SPSA continues to communicate with other jurisdictions about their developing situations and resources.”
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