Government sets return criteria for Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees
Government says return will be decided on a community by community basis.
Mitigated fire threat, drinkable water among what's necessary
The government has set the criteria for people evacuated from their community as to when they can return home.
Duane McKay, commissioner of emergency management and fire safety, said they hope to get evacuees back as soon as possible, but only once it is safe to do so.
Here is what the province will consider before a return to a community is possible:
- Ensure there is no direct fire threat — wildfire management would provide this information.
- Smoke in the community will no longer be considered a risk — health will make this determination.
- Medical services are ready and supplied to support those who return.
- Potable drinking water is safe and available to the community.
- Power, natural gas and telephone services are active and safe, as well as fire, ambulance and 911 service.
"If these are not in place then we strongly recommend that local leaders discourage [people] from returning either on their own or in a coordinated fashion," McKay said Thursday.
As of Thursday morning, nearly 200 evacuees from Sturgeon Lake, Little Red and Wahpeton Dakota Nation were given clearance to return.
McKay said all decisions will be made on a community by community basis.