Photo courtesy La Ronge Fire Department

Leadership with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation have rescinded the mandatory evacuation order for Sandy Bay. Officials say it has been determined that the wildfire risk has significantly decreased, and essential services are operational such as power, water, sewer and health care facilities.

Sandy Bay residents have been away from their community for almost a month. The evacuation order began August 13th. Duane Hiebert, the Emergency Management Co-ordinator with the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation says the Flanagan fire has been contained for three days, with some hot spots still being monitored. He explains they were able to get the fire under control because of the change in the wind direction, a little bit of moisture and the cooler temperatures. So, with the equipment and manpower on the fire line, they were able to control that portion closest to the community that posed a direct threat.

Southend is still under an evacuation order. It was August 28th when PBCN instituted a mandatory evacuation of that community when a wildfire approached rapidly due to strong winds. 983 evacuees in that community remain under an evacuation order.

There are 59 wildfires in Saskatchewan today (Tues) and nine of those including the Merkley fire near Southend, are not contained. There have been 575 fires to date in the province this year and 364 is the five-year average.