(Submitted/ PAGC)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Wildfire Update

No return date yet for wildfire evacuees from Shoal Lake & Red Earth

Oct 15, 2021 | 4:30 PM

Evacuees from Red Earth Cree Nation and Shoal Lake Cree Nation will be away from their homes for a little while longer.

Hundreds of members have been staying in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Nipawin, and other cities for over a week as wildfires from the Crackling River and the foothills of the Pasquia Hills continue to pour a dangerous amount of smoke into their communities.

Shoal Lake Chief Marcel Head spoke with reporters virtually on Friday where he said they still don’t know when they’ll be able to go home, but the rain forecasted for the weekend could help them return sooner than later.

After that, they still need to fix their homes from smoke damage and ensure the air inside of buildings is safe before they can return.

“We had our people return home to try and go clean their houses. There are these purifiers that we’re purchasing, and we’ll see how well they operate,” Head said.

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Around 40 members stayed back instead of evacuating. They’ve been giving the First Nation updates on different properties.

The evacuation order was mainly for elders and those with respiratory issues.

In Shoal Lake, the air quality is currently between six and seven with the Government of Canada stating anything seven and above is considered high risk.

Red Earth’s air quality is reportedly worse, according to Chief Head.

“You can imagine that it’s very harming to the health of the people,” he added.

Until the smoke clears, and homes are properly cleaned, evacuated members will continue to rely on the Canadian Red Cross for support.

“They’re providing lodging accommodations and they’re providing food for our people and other necessary needs.”

Head noted if they continue to receive this support, as well as funds from the Indigenous Services Canada for things like the air purifiers, they should be good to continue weathering the storm.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow