Hundreds of people in Saskatchewan are still unable to return home as crews continue to battle wildfires in the province’s northern region.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says it’s tackling 23 active wildfires in the north, including five fires that are not contained and three of them requiring crews to protect property.

The agency says it’s supporting 500 people who were forced to evacuate from various communities, including Buffalo Narrows, Dillon and Patuanak.

Steve Roberts, vice-president of operations at the agency, says there’s no update on when people can return home.

He says the fires are extremely aggressive and creating lots of smoke, which has made it difficult for crews to get on the ground.

Roberts says some rain is expected in the coming days, which would help firefighters make headway.