(Photo: JSCN Wildfire: Muskoday Volunteer Fire Department)
Kirby Constant, the chief of James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN), says the Red Cross is doing a needs assessment after a wildfire in the community.
Four homes were destroyed, and around a dozen others were evacuated, displacing about 30 people.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says the blaze was sparked on Friday evening by human activity.
Multiple fire debarment agencies came together to battle the blaze, including the James Smith Fire Department, Muskoday Fire Department, Kinistino Fire Department, Garden River Fire Department, Melfort Fire Department, and SPSA, as well as firefighters from Sask First Nation Emergency Management.
“We were all deeply saddened to hear that homes were lost in this fire. We send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected with such devastating losses,” stated the Musoday Fire Department in a social media post.
JSCN stated that mental health workers are being made available for community members.
In a message to the community, which was sent out this morning, Constant reminded members that hot, dry, and windy conditions make it dangerously easy for fires to start. Residents are asked to be cautious and mindful of fire hazards.
Band officials are collecting items like new clothes, shoes, and other essential items, including toiletries, baby supplies, and blankets for those who lost their homes.