Estevan

Looking for a destination for your summer vacation? Look no further than your own backyard. Summer in Saskatchewan opens up a staggering variety of places to visit and explore. 

Among the most popular destinations in the province is the numerous provincial, regional and nation parks that are within our borders says Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Tourism Saskatchewan, Amy McInnis. 

With over 100 wildfires burning in the northern parts of the prairies, much of the smoke is being wafted south. Reduced visibility can be seen on the roads throughout the city. 

Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement in the southeast yesterday due to the heavy smoke in the area. The public is being asked to be cautious and to limit their time outside. There's no word yet as to when the smoke will clear the area. The weather agency is calling for heavier winds to roll through the southeast today and tomorrow. 

A landspout was spotted in the southeast over the weekend, touching down near Glen Ewen and providing quite the sight for residents.

While similar looking to tornadoes, landspouts tend to be weaker, though they still can be damaging.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Brian Proctor lays out the details of what a landspout is.

The Downtown Business Association’s annual Street Dance was back in full swing Saturday night, with Saskatchewan’s own Lisa Moen keeping the party going with a mix of country, and rock classics. 

Robert Godfrey from Lemon Wedge Marketing said the event, which drew around 1,000 people, was a success.

The Street Dance, typically held on Fourth Street, was moved to the Affinity Place parking lot this year. Godfrey noted that the change did not have any negative impact on the event.

The first day of competitions is in the books at the Saskatchewan Summer Games, being held in Lloydminster.  

Here is a recap of how athletes from Team Southeast performed: 

As I reflect on a trip a few years ago to Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper, my thoughts are with the entire area. Both the townsite and the entire Jasper National Park are under an evacuation order. The public is being advised to use highway 16 heading west into BC and then find alternate routes back to Alberta and Saskatchewan if need be.

This photo was taken after a nice rain, with a little drizzle still in the air. There is so much beauty within the park and the amazing wildlife that call the park home.

"Medicine Lake on a Misty Day"

Multiple wildfires in Jasper National Park flared up with a vengeance late Monday night, forcing all park visitors along with the 4,700 residents of the Jasper townsite to flee west with little notice over mountain roads through darkness, soot, and ash.

Photos and video shared on social media illuminated a midnight cavalcade of bumper-to-bumper cars and trucks, headlights on, red tail lights glowing, cars inching, stopping, starting, crawling through swirling tendrils of acrid smoke.

The Saskatchewan Summer Games have officially kicked off, with the girls' soccer team getting ready to hit the road for Wednesday.

Tammy Friesen, the head coach for the Southeast (SE) district girls' soccer team, said the team feels prepared ahead of the game.

The SE district girls' team comprises players from Weyburn, Stoughton, White City, and Yellow Grass. Friese added that the team has gelled well together and has gotten to know each other better.

The Southeast District Girls Soccer Team:

Abigail Hall- Stoughton 

Neela Hall –Stoughton  

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced $8.5 million for two projects led by Dairy Farmers of Canada.

“Dairy farms are at the heart of so many communities across the country, and I know just how hard our dairy farmers work to provide us with top-quality products while caring for their animals and the environment. Today’s investment is about giving Dairy Farmers of Canada the support they need to help farmers adopt sustainable practices to lower emissions, and improve the traceability and safety of dairy products.”

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers spent time talking about ways to improve the Business Risk Management programs during their annual conference last week in Whitehorse.

A press release from the event noted that FPT Ministers of Agriculture discussed several areas of interest for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.