Watch above: About one-third of frontline military personnel are leaving Saturday after the Saskatchewan-wide fire ban was lifted. Amber Rockliffe reports.
REGINA – The government of Saskatchewan said Saturday morning the provincial wildfire threat level has “greatly changed” due to both weather and the manpower on those fires. As a result, about 200 military personnel are leaving Saturday, while 400 will remain on the front lines.
The province-wide fire ban was lifted on Friday afternoon, due to the rain significantly reducing the wildfire threat. The province is asking residents to check with their local RM, park or community to ensure there are no local fire bans in place.
READ MORE: Majority of Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees heading home
Officials say there are currently 111 active wildfires in the province. Rain is still expected to fall in the next few days, helping ongoing efforts to fight fires.
On Saturday, firefighters will be focusing on putting out hot spots around fires that threaten critical infrastructure and access to communities.
Multiple levels of government and volunteers are working together to coordinate an orderly and safe return home for those from northern communities. More evacuees from Alberta, Prince Albert and Saskatoon are expected to return to the La Ronge area Saturday by bus.
The evacuation notice for La Ronge, Air Ronge and Lac La Ronge Indian Band was lifted Friday except for those who are a health priority, children under two years old and pregnant women.
READ MORE: Sask. offering relief to utility customers, tax filers affected by wildfires
According to La Ronge Mayor Thomas Sierzycki on social media Saturday, the town did not suffer any physical damage but many people in the region lost cabins and their homes.
“I haven’t seen my kids since July 4 so it was just really nice to have my own children home,” explained Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson.
“We have the receiving area at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre where we have volunteers who are preparing soup, sandwiches, coffee, just to make people comfortable.”
Anyone with questions about evacuation orders can call their authority and evacuees can contact the Red Cross inquiry line at 1-888-953-3463.
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