Saskatchewan declares provincial wildfire state of emergency [Video]

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has declared a “provincial wildfire state of emergency” as firefighters and residents combat a growing number of wildfires, with no end in sight to the crisis.

Speaking at a news conference in St. Albert, Sask., Moe said there are currently 17 active wildfires in the province that have forced the evacuation of about 15 communities.

“Just looking ahead to the weather forecast, it just doesn’t look good,” said Moe.  “It looks like it is going to further deteriorate — there is no rain in the forecast — it’s a very serious situation we are faced with.”

The state of emergency declaration comes a day after the premier of Manitoba also declared a provincial state of emergency.

The declaration makes it easier for different levels of government to battle the fires that have forced more than 4,000 residents from their homes, mainly in Saskatchewan’s remote northeast region.

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