Britannia Fire Department crews have been deployed for weeks and remain on the front lines of massive wildfires in northern Saskatchewan.
Their current assignment is near Little Amyot Lake, about three and a half hours northeast of Lloydminster.
Read more: GALLERY: Britannia Fire Department deploys to support Sask.
The West of Beauval fire, reported July 8, is not contained and now covers 55,826 hectares, which is nearly 20 per cent larger than Lloydminster. Crews are battling fast-moving flames that have forced evacuations in Canoe Lake First Nation, Jans Bay and the resort subdivision at Little Amyot Lake. Highway 965 has also faced closures as fire activity shifts.
Helicopters, air tankers, heavy equipment, other departments and even drones are supporting this fire. Winds have gusted up to 70 km/h during storms, pushing flames in new directions.
Nearby, an even larger wildfire has burned since June 28. It spans 346,990 hectares or about 60 per cent of the size of Prince Edward Island. That blaze has hit communities including La Plonge Reserve, Beauval, and Ile-a-la-Crosse, destroying values and closing highways. Canadian Armed Forces crews are among those aiding the fight.
Britannia firefighters are working in the same region and face difficult terrain, thick smoke and unpredictable weather.
Crews run from first light to dark, moving pumps and hoses, cutting fire guards and watching for flare-ups. Falling trees, shifting winds, and hidden hot spots add to the danger.
The department’s presence is part of a larger effort drawing in help from across Canada. Containment will take time, calmer weather and hard work on the ground.
Britannia firefighters remain in place holding the line against the advancing flames.
Read more: GALLERY: Britannia Fire still deployed abroad
