Evacuees start heading home to Pelican Narrows in northern Saskatchewan

Sep 15, 2017 | 7:00 AM

SASKATOON — Residents of Pelican Narrows in northern Saskatchewan have begun returning to their homes after being forced out of the community by wildfires at the end of August.

Buses loaded up residents at the Travelodge hotel and Henk Ruys Soccer Centre in Saskatoon on Thursday morning to start the journey home.

Others headed out in their personal vehicles for the five-hour drive.

Theola Dorion said she has been grateful for the help the people of Saskatoon have given to the evacuees.

Betty Custer, who was also preparing for the return, was thanking the Canadian Red Cross for their assistance.

The provincial government said Wednesday that the fire threat to Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay had abated, leading the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation to lift its evacuation order for the area.

However, people with health issues and families with children under the age of two were being held back due to continuing wildfire smoke.

Residents of Jan Lake and Birch Portage also remained away from their homes, as flames still threatened the communities. About 300 personnel are still fighting that fire.

The plan right now is also to open the school on Monday in Pelican Narrows.

With the new school year underway, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education has been trying to provide instruction to children evacuated to Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

(CKOM, CJWW)

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press