HALL LAKE, Sikachu Lake & Clam Bridge LLRIB. — Here are the latest updates on the ongoing wildfire emergency, community support, and evacuation coordination:
Key Updates from the May 28 Meeting:
Wildfire Status and Response Efforts· The wildfire affecting Hall Lake and surrounding areas has now grown to approximately 75,000 hectares, with intensity classes 5 and 6 observed.
· Spotting ranges are up to 300–400 meters, and fire behavior remains extreme due to hot, dry, and windy conditions.
· A total of approximately 3,500 hectares have been burnt off in a successful back burn operation between Highway 165 and the guard line to create a fuel break and protect critical infrastructure, including power lines.
· Crews are actively maintaining dozer guards and are deploying additional resources, including pumps and equipment, to Besnard Lake and Ross Camp west of Hall Lake.
Evacuation Update & Contingency Planning· A total of 384 community members have been safely evacuated. Priority One and Two individuals from high-risk areas like Sikachu and Clam Bridge have already been relocated.
· Evacuees in Saskatoon and Regina are being supported by Red Cross. The University of Regina evacuees have been moved into hotel accommodations.
· Ongoing coordination continues for those who evacuated privately to Prince Albert. Please submit receipts if you covered your own expenses.
Air Quality and Health Advisory· Smoke levels in Hall Lake remain moderate, with a 72-hour PM2.5 average of 58. Forecasts indicate moderate to high smoke levels for the next 48 hours.
· Those with respiratory or cardiac conditions are advised to remain indoors, reduce activity, and use air purifiers or fresh air shelters.
· An air quality monitor will be installed at Clam Lake Bridge and Sikachu to better track conditions in those areas.
Travel and Road Conditions· Highway 165 remains open, but residents are asked to slow down and use caution due to firefighting crews and aircraft in the area.
· Other roads, including the 910 access to Besnard and the shortcut to Creighton-Flin Flon, may be affected by heavy smoke and closures.
· Land users traveling on highways 165 East and West should proceed with extreme caution due to heavy smoke conditions. They are reporting that they are returning due to heavy smoke. Avoid high-smoke areas when possible.
Emergency Coordination and Community Safety· RCMP remain on-site in Hall Lake but may reassign resources soon. Coordination with hotel security is ongoing to address community concerns.
· Some cabins in the fire zone have been lost, but full assessments will be conducted when safe access is possible.
· Community Safety Program Managers are addressing food concerns and ensuring respectful treatment of evacuees in host facilities.
Fresh Air Shelter Now Open at JRMCC Arena in La RongeA Fresh Air Shelter is now open at JRMCC Arena to support community members impacted by poor air quality due to wildfire smoke in the region. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The shelter is equipped with air scrubbers to help filter smoke and improve indoor air quality. This safe space has been opened out of caution and care for those most impacted by the smoke—Elders, children, and individuals with health conditions.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Leon J. Charles, Emergency Response Coordinator – 306-420-9499 Yvonne Roberts – 306-420-8936 Joe Ratt – 306-207-4446 Leonard Halkett – 306-420-4484 Leonard Halkett Jr. – 306-420-0674 Councillor Norman Ross – 306-420-9063Thank you for your ongoing cooperation, patience, and resilience. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
Stay safe and look after each other,
— Chief Tammy Cook-Searson
Lac La Ronge Indian Band Emergency Operations Centre
