While residents of La Ronge and the surrounding area have escaped from northern Saskatchewan's wildfires to safer spots, many of their pets had to be left behind.

Residents of La Ronge, along with those in Air Ronge, the Lac La Ronge reserve and everywhere within a 20-kilometre radius, were ordered to evacuate late Monday afternoon, after nearby communities got the same direction earlier in the day due to fast-moving fires in the area.

On Tuesday, another notice went out for all non-essential personnel to leave town. Firefighters and an ambulance crew are among the few people left in town, the town's mayor said.

So far, between 10,000 to 15,000 people have been forced to leave their homes due to fires in the province, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said Wednesday.

Jayme Woodhous

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