Evacuation Orders Cease for Red Earth and Shoal Lake Cree Nations
Residents of east-central Saskatchewan are now able to return to their homes following the lifting of evacuation orders. The directives were initially issued late last week due to a wildfire, compounded by concerns over air quality and road access.
The Red Earth Cree Nation has announced that the wildfire is no longer considered a threat to their community. An official statement on behalf of the Red Earth Cree Nation Chief and Council confirmed the development on Tuesday. Residents who were evacuated by bus can begin their return journey starting Wednesday. Those who self-evacuated were permitted to return to their homes on the evening of the announcement.
Community Returns Home After Wildfire Threat Recedes
Nearby, members of the Shoal Lake Cree Nation have also seen their evacuation order rescinded, according to information provided by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) during a news conference on Wednesday.
Bryan Chartrand, executive director of land operations at the SPSA, stated, “Everybody from Red Earth and Shoal Lake are returning home.” He added, “We had it scanned, there are some hotspots but we’re hoping to have those dealt with.”
The evacuation for Red Earth Cree Nation was initiated on Saturday afternoon, following the declaration of a state of emergency related to the blaze. At the time, the wildfire had reportedly spread to within approximately three kilometers of Highway 55, posing a significant risk of blocking access to and from the community.
During the evacuation period, displaced residents were accommodated in Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert.
