Saskatchewan fire evacuations: Shoal Lake and Red Earth Cree Nations return home
Global News
More than 700 people were evacuated to Prince Albert and Saskatoon — some going against orders and returning home early.
Members of Shoal Lake and Red Earth Cree Nations are heading home this week after fire and smoke evacuations forced them out earlier this month.
More than 700 people were evacuated to Prince Albert and Saskatoon, some going against orders and returning home early.
The chiefs say those returning home at this time are undergoing rapid testing to ensure the evacuations don’t result in COVID-19 outbreaks.
“We’re finding it a great relief to finally have our people go home,” said Shoal Lake Cree Nation Chief Marcel Head. “Although the duration of the evacuation was way too long and there were contributing factors to the long stay away from home.”
Smoke from the late-season Bell fire near Hudson Bay, Sask., is still blowing into the communities, but recent tests are showing significantly improved air quality.
They expect to return home to some remaining air quality concerns for at least a week and say members will be dealing with smoke damage in their homes — but the general feeling is one of relief.
A lingering concern is food security after the hunting season was cut short by evacuations.
“Some of our members were wanting to have some of our traditional meat around this time,” said Red Earth Cree Nation Chief Fabian Head.
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