La Ronge Blanketed in Smoke as Northern Saskatchewan Wildfires Spark Concern and Calls for Support

La Ronge (Saskatchewan), The Gulf Observer: As wildfires continue to rage across northern Saskatchewan, the community of La Ronge is struggling with deteriorating air quality, uncertainty, and growing concern over the safety of residents—especially those with health vulnerabilities.

For several days, the region has remained under an air quality warning due to thick smoke drifting from surrounding wildfires. Although no evacuation orders have been issued, fluctuating wind patterns and limited visibility have left the community on edge.

“There’s a lot of smoke,” said Tammy Cook-Searson, Chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. “It is starting to impact especially children who are asthmatic, or anybody with any compromised health issues.”

Community Responds with Fresh Air Shelter

In an effort to support those most affected, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band has established a temporary fresh air shelter at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC). The centre’s arena is now equipped with industrial air scrubbers and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“We just want people to come in here if they want to breathe fresh air to get out of the smoke,” said Arnold Mirasty, the facility supervisor. “Then we’ll serve them coffee, water, whatever we have.”

According to Mirasty, dozens of residents sought refuge at the shelter shortly after it opened. “I had the purifiers running since yesterday. It’s nice in here — and refreshing,” he added. The shelter also offers food, beverages, seating areas, and transportation support for those in need.

Online Panic Met with Official Reassurances

Amid growing speculation and alarm on social media, the La Ronge Regional Fire Department issued a public statement Thursday morning, urging residents to remain calm and rely on verified sources.

“There has been some commentary circulating online,” the department stated in a Facebook post. “At one point, someone insisted that we need to evacuate immediately, creating unnecessary panic. At this point there are no fires that pose an imminent risk.”

The department acknowledged the challenging conditions, noting that smoky skies and periodic highway closures are a recurring reality during wildfire season in northern Saskatchewan.

“This is something that we deal with every year,” the post read. “Roads will close, roads will open. There will be smoky days and there will be days you can see large plumes of smoke in the distance. Some days ash will fall, some days it will be clear.”

Leadership Urges Training and Resources

While acknowledging the community’s resilience, Chief Cook-Searson emphasized the urgent need for additional resources and training to bolster local firefighting efforts.

“We need to be able to train our own community members,” she said. “We also need the proper equipment, so we’re able to fight the fires effectively.”

Cook-Searson expressed concern over limited evacuation options, particularly with major routes such as Highway 165 and Highway 102 experiencing closures due to fire activity. “The only way out is by boat or by plane,” she said. “We need help and more resources to be able to put those contingency plans in place.”

As La Ronge navigates yet another wildfire season, local leaders and emergency personnel continue to stress the importance of preparedness, clear communication, and community solidarity.