Residents of east-central Saskatchewan are now able to return to their homes following the successful containment of a wildfire that had prompted evacuations last week. Concerns over air quality and road access also contributed to the initial displacement.
Wildfire No Longer a Threat
In a statement released Tuesday on behalf of the Red Earth Cree Nation Chief and Council, officials confirmed that the wildfire has been assessed and is no longer posing a threat to the community. This announcement allows for the return of displaced residents.
Transportation for returning residents via bus is scheduled to resume on Wednesday. Individuals who self-evacuated were permitted to return to their homes on the evening the announcement was made.
Shoal Lake Cree Nation Also Reopens
Nearby, members of the Shoal Lake Cree Nation have also had their evacuation order rescinded, according to information from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). At a news conference on Wednesday, Bryan Chartrand, the executive director of land operations at the SPSA, stated that all residents from both Red Earth and Shoal Lake are now returning home.
Chartrand acknowledged that while some “hotspots” were detected during a scan of the area, efforts are underway to address them. He expressed optimism that these remaining concerns would be resolved promptly.
Evacuation Details
The evacuation for Red Earth Cree Nation was initiated on Saturday afternoon. A state of emergency had been declared due to the wildfire’s rapid spread. Reports at the time indicated the blaze had advanced to within approximately three kilometers of Highway 55, raising concerns about potential disruption to access routes to and from the community.
During the evacuation period, residents were relocated to various centers, including Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert.
