Wildfire risk deemed high, extreme in southern Sask.

Crews have been busy fighting forest fires in Saskatchewan this year, with almost double the number compared to this time last year.

As of Wednesday, there have been163 fires in the province this year, compared to 85 by this timelast year.

Most of the fires are in the Prince Albert and Buffalo Narrows area, with a smaller number in the La Ronge area.

Twelve wildfires were burning on Wednesday.

In the southern half of the province, the risk of fires is elevated, according to the environment ministry.

On the east side of the region, the risk has been deemed high while in western and central areas, it's extreme, according to the ministry's Thursday fire forecast map.

One forest fire was burning closeto Creighton, Sask. Awater bomber and a helicopterdroppedwater on the blaze late Wednesday afternoon.