Wildfires in Saskatchewan have forced hundreds of more people out of their homes and officials say they’re praying for rain.
Steve Roberts with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says there are 28-hundred evacuees in the province, up from 17-hundred reported late last week.
He says more communities have issued evacuation notices where heavy smoke is affecting those with health issues.
Those communities include La Loche, Île-à-la-Crosse and Cole Bay.
Roberts says crews have made more progress fighting the fires due to low winds and temperatures, but a bout of rain would make all the difference.
The province is reporting 52 active wildfires, including 13 uncontained.
Crews from Australia, Mexico, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are providing extra assistance to help control the fires, while also replacing existing firefighters who need a break.
Roberts says the fire near Beauval, about 400 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, is of high priority.
He adds the blaze in Prince Albert National Park has not posed a larger threat.
A fire ban for much of northern Saskatchewan remains in effect.
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