A series of forest fires near Flin Flon are leaving the area covered in thick smoke.
Four fires along Highway 106 and a fifth south of Flin Flon continue to be "not contained" according to Saskatchewan Wildfire Management. The fires, along with a combination of wind and humidity, have shrouded the Flin Flon/Creighton area with smoke.
Environment Canada issued a special air advisory Saturday afternoon for Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage, Grass River Provincial Park, Snow Lake and Herb Lake Landing.
"Smoke from forest fires in the area has become an air quality issue again for the Flin Flon region. Conditions should improve significantly this afternoon as a cold front passes through the region," read the advisory.
In the advisory, Environment Canada advises Flin Flon and area residents to avoid strenous exercise, limit outdoor activity, stay indoors to reduce exposure, turn off heaters or air-conditioning units which may draw in smoke-filled air and to avoid smoking or burning materials if necessary.
The fire north of Kisseynew Lake, located about 17 kilometres north of Flin Flon, remains the closest to civilization, but is no longer growing toward the Flin Flon/Creighton area. As of Saturday afternoon, Wildfire Management information shows the size of the fire as 2716 hectares.
A fire at Granite Lake has grown dramatically, now reaching 11,000 hectares in size. Another blaze located on the north shore of Jan Lake is now 2262 hectares in total size.
A fourth "not contained" fire is now burning west of Limestone Lake along Highway 106. Wildfire Management lists the fire's size as 25 hectares.
The fifth fire is located near Namew Lake, straddling the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border about 60 kilometres south of Flin Flon and Creighton. The fire, totalling 2740 hectares in size, is located not far from the community of Sturgeon Landing.
The Reminder will have more information in our Wednesday print edition.
