Onion Lake Cree Nation officially declared a local state of emergency on May 7 due to wildfires.
The band’s Facebook page shared the declaration this afternoon and backdated it to May 4.
Read more: Onion Lake fires still out of control
An air-quality notice from the same page reads as follows.
People with heart or respiratory conditions can experience worsened symptoms during smoke events caused by forest fires. Even healthy individuals can be affected and may experience irritation of the eyes, throat and possibly shortness of breath.
Who is at risk:
People with pre‐existing heart and respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are most at risk. However, everyone can be at risk during a severe smoke event and should monitor their symptoms. Take appropriate precautionary measures and seek medical care if symptoms worsen.
How you can protect yourself during a severe smoke event:
- Reduce or avoid strenuous outdoor activities – especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. Children, the elderly and those with pre‐existing medical conditions, such as heart and respiratory disease, should be especially cautious.
- Do not rely on dust masks, bandanas, and cloths (even if wet), since they are designed to trap large particles and not designed to protect lungs from smoke.
- Reduce or eliminate exposure to outside air when inside (e.g.) close windows and close ventilation systems that bring outdoor air indoors.
- Stay inside and turn on your air conditioner (check to make sure it does not bring outdoor air indoors). Or, go to an air‐conditioned public space (mall, library, church) to reduce exposure to outdoor air.
- If you have an HEPA air cleaner that will reduce levels of small particles in indoor air, use it and stay in the room where it is located.
- Avoid tobacco smoke exposure ‐ smoking puts added stress on your lungs and those around you.
Provincial response and help needed
The band is also looking for individuals to help with various parts of the firefighting operations.
“Meals, runners, traffic control and numerous other duties as assigned by the disaster management team,” states the page.
Additionally, they’re looking for individuals who can work shift work, have their own transportation and are above 18 to work security for the fire command post.
Any able to help is asked to contact the numbers on their Facebook page.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) provided a statement to the Meridian Source, stating they are actively engaged in fire suppression on both fires in the area.
“Type one and type two ground crews, an emergency response team and additional SPSA support staff, heavy equipment and air support (are being utilized),” said Kara Slobodzian, director of communications for SPSA.
This developing news story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Read more: Onion Lake residents on evacuation standby
