As of Monday at 8 a.m. there are 71 wildfires burning in the province with 10 of those not contained. There have been 555 wildfires so far this year compared to the five-year average of 356.

Of the fires of note the Flanagan fire near Sandy Bay, at almost 45,000 hectares, has not grown in size in the latest situation awareness report from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. Crews are working hotspots on the line nearest the community.

The Kraus fire east of Missinipe and Grandmother’s Bay has led to the evacuation of most of the staff at the Seabee mine which is nearby. Crews will work on defensive plans for the Seabee mine.

And the Merkley fire south of Southend has led to the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation evacuating Southend. The wildfire is just over 35,000 hectares in size and Wildcat and Fire and Flood crews continue to work on setting up sprinklers in both communities of Southend and Brabant. A crew will be placed northwest of the highway and another crew from the northeast area to slow down the fire with pump and hose.