While previously considered contained, the Trail and Muskeg wildfires have once again forced some residents to evacuate near the northern village of Île-à-la-Crosse, located approximately 375 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

The Trail and Muskeg fires represent two of the province’s largest wildfires – spanning a collective 406,000 hectares.

As of 4 p.m. Sunday, three fires were considered not contained throughout Saskatchewan – they included the BRIRO3 fire near the village of Dillon – in addition to the Muskeg and Trail fires.

In a message posted to social media Saturday afternoon, the northern village of Île-à-la-Crosse notified residents in the Canoe River subdivision to vacate the area for safety reasons.

Additionally, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) ordered all residents near the South Bay Veterans Park to vacate the area by 8 p.m. Saturday.

The fire later reached Highway 155 at Canoe River and closed sections of the roadway between Buffalo Narrows and the Beauval area.

As of Sunday afternoon, the road has been reopened. However, according to the province’s Highway Hotline, fires persist in the area –with smoke leading to low visibility.

Highway 165 near the Highway 914 junction remains closed and barricaded after fires crossed over the roadway in that area.

According to the SPSA, crews fighting the Trail fire are concentrating their efforts on the section of the blaze located at the northern end of Amyot Lake, near Canoe River.

Additionally, protection assessments are underway on homes and buildings around Île-à-la-Crosse Lake.