By Glenn Hicks

Jan Lake untouched by wildfire activity

Sep 20, 2017 | 3:00 PM

One of the returning evacuees to Jan Lake is summing up the feeling there now the threat of the wildfires has receded.

“Everybody’s just happy that we’re still standing,” Rieann Decae said, co-owner of the Jan Lake Lodge.

Her business was evacuated late last month. She has returned following the recent rescinding of the Evacuation Order.

Decae’s happy to report no damage to her property or the trees on her site.

“It was more surreal driving in and seeing how close the fire got to us,” she said. “Around camp it looks the same [as it did]. It’s a little bit odd not having anybody around.”

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She said there is a sense of relief among the local businesses, although she’s not sure how scarred the landscape beyond her resort is.

“I haven’t been out on the lake yet to see. I’m sure the lake looks quite a bit different, but just around our community it’s not like there are burnt trees anywhere,” Decae said.

She thanked firefighting crews for their efforts, and the sprinkler systems installed behind her resort during the wildfires.

As for any lost income during the busy Labour Day weekend, she said it’s not an ideal situation but September is usually a slower month anyway.

Wildfire officials said the main fires burning close to Jan Lake, Birch Portage and Pelican Narrows are now 30 per cent contained, up from 25 per cent containment last week. They continue to secure the flanks closest to the communities and said there are huge parts of the fire that do not pose any threat and do not require containment.

Recent heavy rains have calmed down the fire behavior and reduced the smoky air.

Glenn.Hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow