Worst of western Sask. wildfire over

Officials say the wildfire that forced 130 people from their homes north of Lloydminster is now under control.

The rural municipality of Frenchman Butte on the west side of Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency earlier this week.

Nancy McGerrigle, one of the people forced out of their homes, said at one point the smoke was so bad she could barely breathe.

"It was amazing," she said. "I've never seen anything like it in my life. The flames were right up in the clouds, jumping from tree top to tree top at a tremendous speed."

McGerrigle along with the rest of the evacuees will be able to return to their homes on Thursday.

She said she checked out her property in the morning and things were a lot better.

RM officials say the fire has scorched about 1,600 hectares of land — the equivalent of about 3,500 football fields.

"Our yard is clear of smoke and I can still see some smoke columns from where we are but we are two miles from the actual fire," she said.

RM officials say the fire is under control. Overnight rain and a crew of 60 firefighters helped contain the blaze.