Wildfire evacuees returning home in northern Saskatchewan
La Ronge-area fires not growing, so many can go home
It's been almost a week since wildfires forced more than 1,000 people to leave their homes in the La Ronge area in northern Saskatchewan, but now most of them can return home.
The fires haven't been contained, but they haven't grown in size in the past couple of days and people can no longer see smoke in La Ronge, said Tammy Cook-Searson, chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
According to the Ministry of Environment, the weather is cooperating as there is a high probability of rain in the forecast and the winds are pushing the smoke north, away from the communities near La Ronge.
The three larger uncontained fires near La Ronge look like this:
- Egg Fire - 22, 950 hectares
- Clark Fire - 17, 800 hectares
- Sucker Fire - 2, 250 hectares
"It was really amazing to see all the people come together and also the incredible work by the fire suppression crews in the air and on the ground, for keeping our community members safe," Cook-Searson said.
Not everyone can return home, though. The evacuation order remains in place for about 100 people from Sikachu and Clam Lake.
The Ministry of Environment said so far 14 cabins and one home have received significant damage due to the fires.