Sask. premier declares provincial state of emergency [Video]

The Saskatchewan government has declared a provincewide state of emergency, as wildfires raging across the northern part of the province continue to drive thousands from their homes.

Premier Scott Moe made the announcement Thursday at a news conference in Prince Albert.

“The conditions that our northern residents, communities and wildland firefighters are facing today are as severe or quite likely unlike anything we have faced in quite some time, if not ever,” Moe said.

“We do need some rainfall and we need that sooner rather than later. In light of that not being in the forecast, we’re certainly putting in place every measure possible to prepare our province and prepare our communities for the days ahead.”

The state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days and can be extended as necessary.

The announcement comes after calls for the declaration from people with property in northeast Saskatchewan and the …