A satellite image taken Tuesday, July 13, shows the extent of smoke from a northern Saskatchewan forest fire. (Jeff Schmaltz/NASA)

Officials say it may be several days before smoke from a northern Saskatchewan forest fire subsides enough to let evacuees return home.

On Wednesday, planes were sent to Black Lake and Stony Rapids to take people south to Prince Albert.

Initially, the province reported that more than 300 people would move.

On Thursday, officials said the total count of evacuees was 134.

"Soon as the plane took off, it was just like you were in hell for a while there," John Sayazie, one of the evacuees, said Thursday describing the thick smoke generated by the forest fire.

Many of the evacuees are living, dormitory-style, in the gym of the Woodland campus of SIAST in Prince Albert.

Heavy smoke led to health concerns, especially for children, the elderly and people with existing medical conditions.

"I worry about my home," Edwin Toutsaint, one of the evacuees from Stony Rapids, told CBC News on Thursday.

Toutsaint added he was also worried about the fate of people, and animals, still in the community.

Provincial forestry officials said the fire was started by lightning about three weeks ago.

It has destroyed an estimated 100,000 hectares of northern forest.

As of Thursday it was burning about 20 kilometres south of Stony Rapids.

"Conditions up there are still hot and dry," Steve Roberts, the executive director of fire management for the province, said Thursday. "The temperatures overnight are still in the high teens and then of course the wind direction is forcing smoke towards the community or away at any given time."

Officials said the hot and dry conditions were expected to continue for at least the next three days.

Stony Rapids, a hamlet, and the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation have a combined population of about 1,400.

They are about 80 kilometres from the boundary with the Northwest Territories.