The number of wildfire evacuees in northern Saskatchewan has grown to 2,800—up from the last week’s estimate of 1,700.

The vice-president of operations with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), Steve Roberts says the higher totals are due to forest fire smoke and getting a better estimate on those evacuated earlier.

Wildfires were kept in check over the weekend, even though the region did not receive any rain unlike areas further south like Saskatoon.

Roberts says there is the possibility of showers in the next couple of days.

The Buhl Fire in the northeast portion of Prince Albert National Park remains the same distance from Waskesiu and Montreal Lake.

The Beauval area continues to be the main area of concern, but crews are monitoring another fire north of La Loche.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is thanking fire crews from around Saskatchewan, other provinces and other countries for all their work. Photos of the crews are being posted on SPSA social media to recognize their efforts.