Forest Fire Evacuees Allowed To Return Home

Monday, July 07, 2008 at 13:24

 

 

Most of the people forced from their homes in northern Saskatchewan due to thick smoke from nearby forest fires will be home by late tomorrow.

 

At one point this past weekend, nearly 2,800 northerners were being put up in emergency shelters in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.

 

But the residents of Deschambeault Lake returned home Saturday and Sunday — while evacuees from Stony Rapids, Black Lake, Pelican Narrows, and Sandy Bay began leaving Prince Albert and Saskatoon yesterday.

 

That exodus will continue today and tomorrow.

 

Linda Gaudet with Emergency Social Services says heavy rain across the north this past weekend has paved the way for the evacuees to go home.

 

Around 38 Uranium City residents may be forced to stay away a bit longer due to heavy smoke around their community.

 

Residents of six northern communities were first forced to leave their homes just over a week ago.

 

Rhonda Michaels of Saskatchewan Environment says the Hopper and Mirond fires in northeast Saskatchewan are holding and crews are working towards containment.

 

She says the situation appears to be secure right now, even though both fires are still officially listed as being out of control.

 

The one trouble spot that still exists is in the Uranium City area with the Camsell fire.

 

Michaels says strong winds could make it a smoky day for that community today.

 

Meanwhile, Michaels says crews are keeping their eye on another blaze in northern Saskatchewan.

 

The Pine fire is approximately 18 kilometres from Cumberland House and is listed as being out of control.

 

At this point, it is not threatening the community.