Evacuees afraid their homes will be looted

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“Everyone else evacuated a week earlier and we didn’t want to leave the house because there were people breaking in to the houses when everybody evacuated,” Roberts explained.

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“So we stayed another week and then the fire got really close so we had to leave.”

According to Roberts, five or six security guards were watching the reserve, driving around at night. Still, he wanted to do what he could.

That sentiment has continued for him since he’s been in Prince Albert.

“I’ve been working here, keeping myself busy.”

Roberts continued, “Helping out with security, patrolling the property.”

Since many evacuees who arrived later have been left to tent on PAGC property, they’ve been working to make sure it’s a safe environment for people.

Roberts said he thinks the PAGC has been successful.

“It’s been great,” he said. “Helping out the elders and keeping everybody busy.”

 As far as the word that officials expect some fires to last until fall or winter, Roberts said he hopes otherwise.

“The U.S. is here now. I hope they can do something to help us out.”

A family divided

Lenard Finlayson, from La Ronge, has been away from home for 10 days, he said. He was put in a difficult situation at the time. 

After going out to run errands, the road back to where his sons were had been closed. He didn’t want to leave them behind, but said he didn’t have much of a choice.

His sons have been stuck up at Besnard Lake ever since. That’s where his sister-in-law’s cabin recently burnt to the ground.

“The fire is all around,” said Finlayson, “I’m worried about them because they don’t have transportation.”

“Fire travels fast and if they get caught in there…”

Finlayson said he’s frustrated because his family was separated.

“I have two daughters and two sons and they’re all separate places,” Finlayson explained. His daughters were sent to Cold Lake, Alta. Still, Finlayson agrees that conditions for evacuees have been the best they can be.

“It’s been great. The people here are nice. There have been lots of donations,” said Finlayson, explaining that they’ve been given everything they need.

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha