The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) says no communities in the province are currently evacuated due to wildfires, and all highway access to the north is back open.
Improved weather has allowed evacuation orders to be lifted for the Northern Hamlet of Jans Bay, Patuanak/English River First Nation, the La Plonge Reserve and some individuals from the Northern Village of Beauval.
As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, there were 69 active wildfires in northern Saskatchewan. Of those, seven are contained, eight are not contained, 36 are under assessment and 18 are listed as protecting values.
According to the SPSA, more than $5 million in support has been distributed to individuals to assist with recovery. The SPSA, on behalf of the provincial government, is providing $500 cheques to residents over the age of 18 who live in Denare Beach and other evacuated communities.
The provincial government has also committed $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross to provide additional support for wildfire evacuees. The SPSA says this will give residents who were evacuated two further financial support options through the Red Cross.
In addition, the provincial government has committed $20 million to help communities rebuild from this year’s wildfires. The Recovery Task Team (RTT) is working with communities on debris cleanup, landfill impacts, project management and other supports.
As communities assess their needs, the RTT says it will continue to consider various material and policy options to support residents in the recovery process.