‘We had to get out’: Wildfire closes in on Shellbrook area communities

(Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

Those south of the town of Shellbrook have been issued an evacuation order, as a wildfire has made its way closer to several communities.

“From what I’ve seen from the office, everybody is calm and, staying cool and collected and just taking problems as they come and taking one step at a time. There was alerts that we had to get out, and then not long after that, we had to do the evacuations, and I would say that everyone’s working really well as a team,” Christine Strube, reeve of the RM of Shellbrook said.

Just weeks after the community was dealing with significant flooding, residents are now facing challenges presented by the Lobstick fire, which has moved in the direction of the RM.

“Because the fire started in the forest, the SPSA is monitoring the fire and overseeing the operations. Local fire departments are collaborating with the SPSA on values protection within the municipality. We ask that the public limit vehicle traffic in the affected areas, including the reception area in Shellbrook, to allow emergency services and first responders to respond accordingly,” Strube said.

While a heavy cloud of smoke is present throughout the community, the town of Shellbrook does not have an evacuation order in place at this time. However, the 53 patients and residents of Parkland Integrated Healthcare Centre in the town were evacuated.

• Evacuation order issued in RM of Shellbrook

According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the long-term care residents in the centre are being moved to Herb Bassett Home in Prince Albert for staging, and acute care patients are being transferred to Tisdale, Melfort, Porcupine Plain and Prince Albert healthcare centres. The Parkland Integrated Healthcare Centre is set to remain open for emergency care unless an evacuation order is put in place.

The Hamlet of Holbein is currently on alert, and anyone located two kilometers west and eight kilometers east of Shellbrook who are south of Highway 3 had to evacuate immediately. Evacuees have been asked to check in at the town of Shellbrook’s Elks Hall where resources are available.

“We’ve asked everyone to check in at the Elks Hall in town, and the cadets are looking after it. They’ve got the papers there to document who’s evacuated and where they’re going and what their phone numbers are, so that if and when we need to contact them for any reason, we’ve got that information,” Strube said.

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The reeve added thanks to the numerous offers of support in and around the community. Those wishing to support are encouraged to directly email the RM office. MLA Eric Schmalz and Premier Scott Moe were on site at the command station on Friday evening.

“Their presence and support are always much appreciated. The RM and I would also like to take the opportunity to thank businesses and organizations, and the town in general, for stepping up to help. We would like to acknowledge the good work of our volunteer fire department in Shellbrook, and for the town of Shellbrook, and also the RM of Buckland providing their fire services as well,” Strube said.

Strube added that while the situation certainly comes with some challenges, she is very proud of how her community has handled the circumstances. The reeve asked that people try to limit vehicle traffic in and around Shellbrook to allow for emergency vehicles.

“Everybody’s been mostly supportive. When we had to get on the phone and call people and ask them to evacuate, there was some shock for some people, but they’ve responded for the most part really well. Everybody’s hesitant or has concerns about their pets and whatnot, but they’re taking it all in stride,” Strube said.