LA RONGE, Sask. – Most people who have been evacuated due to northern Saskatchewan wildfires can return home. The evacuation for most communities was lifted Thursday.
Three-quarters of the evacuees, including those at Saskatoon’s Henk Ruys soccer centre, will be transported home Thursday.
Clam Lake Bridge and Sikichew Lake, however, remain under an evacuation order. More crews have been called in to battle the flames and officials hope to have those fires “secured” shortly.
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Government officials say conditions have improved in the past 24 hours, allowing them to lift some of the evacuation orders.
“We’re looking at increasingly favourable conditions, only three new fires in the last 24 hours,” said Steve Roberts with the Ministry of Environment.
Roberts said the fires in the La Ronge area have not increased in size, but five fires in the region are currently uncontained.
“There were 418 personnel, 20 helicopters, and 27 pieces of heavy equipment engaged in wildfire activity just yesterday alone,” said Roberts.
At least 14 cabins and one home have been destroyed and conservation officers have been deployed to determine if more structures have been impacted by the wildfires.
Amber Rockliffe contributed to this story
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