Saskatchewan wildfire officials have lifted the provincial fire ban, citing cooler weather and increased rainfall.

The fire ban was in place on May 16, in all provincial parks, Crown land and in the Northern Administration District, north of Highway 16.

Yet some communities and provincial parks north of the Churchill River did not receive heavy rains, several northern communities still have burn bans or restrictions in place.

The Sask. Public Safety Agency’s Fire Weather Index suggests the North ranges from extreme to low for fire danger, but forecast conditions to improve over the next day.

Some evacuees from Ile a la Crosse, being housed in Regina, are heading home, yet officials could not say when those still in the capital or evacuated elsewhere will return to the northwest.

There are 24 active fires in the province with five classified as not contained.