Evacuation order issued in RM of Shellbrook

(Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

A wildfire alert and ordered evacuation has been issued by the Rural Municipality of Shellbrook as a fast-moving fire threatens the area.

Residents living one mile west to five miles east of Shellbrook, and south of Highway 3 to the RM boundary, are being ordered to evacuate immediately.

Officials say the wildfire is advancing quickly and is moving in a northwest direction. Residents are being told to leave without delay.

Evacuees are advised to use the oil service road to exit the area safely.

A registration centre has been set up at the Elks Hall in Shellbrook, where all evacuees must register. Officials say registration is mandatory, and anyone choosing not to evacuate is also required to register at the same location.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says it is also evacuating patients and residents from the Parkland Integrated Health Centre in Shellbrook as a precaution due to wildfire risks.

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A total of 20 acute care patients and 33 long-term care residents are being moved in coordination with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and other partners.

The SHA says patient transfers are underway by ambulance and wheelchair-accessible buses, with care plans in place based on individual needs and available capacity at receiving facilities.

Long-term care residents are being taken to Herb Bassett Home in Prince Albert for staging, while acute care patients are being transferred to Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, as well as facilities in Porcupine Plain, Melfort and Tisdale.

As of 10 p.m. Friday, the Parkland Integrated Health Centre was open for emergency care.

However, officials say those services will close if a mandatory evacuation of Shellbrook is ordered, with emergency care then available at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital.

The SHA says it will continue working with emergency partners and will provide updates as the situation evolves.