Sask. wildfire evacuees rally government to allow them to aid in firefight

Frustrations are boiling over in evacuation centres with over 2,700 people displaced from their homes due to wildfires.

Evacuees in Saskatoon started a rally on Friday, asking the provincial and federal governments to allow them to help fight the fires near their communities in northeast Saskatchewan.

READ MORE: Province pouring resources into fighting northern Saskatchewan wildfires

“People around here are depressed,” Pelican Narrows resident Kelly Michelle said.

“To spend 11 days here is just too much for some people because some people haven’t left our community at all and they’re not used to living in a community like Saskatoon or Prince Albert,” Pelican Narrows resident Mary Jane Michelle said.

“These politicians here can help us and get our Type 3 firefighters hired because we want to go home and keep our communities safe,” she said.

The Saskatchewan government said Friday that “a certain portion of our firefighting force we actually hire certified firefighters in the community.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to strengthen and enhance the national emergency response plan.

They’re meeting with community leaders from across the country and looking at risks involved including the training and development of firefighters from local communities.

“One of the biggest concerns in that plan is the gaps that have existed historically with respect to Indigenous communities,” Goodale said.

READ MORE: Stranded teachers drive through Sask. wildfire region to prepare for school

Back at the evacuation centre, Michelle said it’s better to be a local when fighting flames in the area.

“We know our community better, we know the forest better and frankly, nobody’s paying attention.”

Right now, evacuees said communication is at the forefront of their concerns.

“We need a daily update on what’s happening to the community up north,” Michelle said.

Sandy Bay resident Linda Bird has been staying with friends in Saskatoon and making trips to the evacuation centre, but has run out of gas twice on her way over.

“It’s just like being lost. They put you there and then forget about you.”

“We come and eat here and get supplies and it’s getting frustrating. We’ve run out of gas twice and we asked for gas cards here and they say they can’t help us,” she said.

READ MORE: Wildfire evacuation expenses may be covered under insurance policy

The province said the timeline is unclear as to when evacuees can return home, but it could be weeks.

“Our goal is to get these people back into their homes as quickly as we possibly can, however, conditions need to be safe,” Duane McKay said.

“I don’t know if we’re in a position to know exactly what this fire is going to do.”