The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says it has completed the safe evacuation of 49 acute care patients and residents from the La Ronge Health Centre and care homes.

There was mandatory evacuation of La Ronge due to wildfire risk last night. The fire near La Ronge overtook the airport. The patients and residents were transferred based on their individual care needs as well as availability elsewhere. The almost 50 people were transferred to facilities in Arborfield, Battlefords, Birch Hills, Canora, Carrot River, Cut Knife, Duck Lake, Foam Lake, Kamsack, Kinistino, Lanigan, Maidstone, Melfort, Prince Albert, Rosthern, Shellbrook, Tisdale, Unity, and Wilkie.

The La Ronge Health Centre, including the emergency department, is now closed. SaskTel infrastructure has been impacted by the fire consequently 911 access in the area is anticipated to be intermittent. However, there are emergency services available in La Ronge at the EMS base and emergency care is also available at the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital.

The SHA also sends a big thanks to all involved. Elk Ridge Resort served as a staging area for ambulance coordination. The SHA personnel worked alongside EMS providers from across the province as well as the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Canadian Red Cross, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance, STARS, Rise Air, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, as well as Medical Communications and Coordination Centers