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Convoy home for residents stranded; Little Red River residents safely home

Jul 11, 2015 | 8:45 AM

Some residents from northern Saskatchewan may be able to return home soon.

An escorted convoy is being set up for those residents who were not evacuated but were stranded in the south due to road closures because of wildfires in the north.

The convoy is for those who reside in Missinipe, Brabant Lake, Southend and the Athabasca Basin.

If the weather is favorable the escorted convoy will meet at the road closure on Highway 2 south of La Ronge between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Any late arrivals will be turned away and residents are asked to bring their identification.

The only stops along the way will be for gas while the convoy makes its way to Sucker River where vehicles can proceed without the escort.

This does not mean the evacuation order has been lifted for areas around La Ronge, Sucker River, Grandmother’s Bay and Hall Lake.

Anyone from those communities will not be allowed to join the convoy.

Tourists, distant business owners and visitors will also be turned away.

Residents of Stanley Mission are asked to contact Kyla McKenzie at 306-425-7984 prior to using Highway 915 because the road has been frequently closed due to the Lynx Fire.

Health officials do not recommend anyone with smoke related health problems to return home because the air quality remains poor.

Little Red River First Nations 

Residents from Little Red River Reserve that were evacuated due to poor air quality from the smoke have returned home.   

The air quality has been assessed based on visibility and smoke from wildfires are no longer a threat to people’s health.

According to information provided by Wildfire Management, forest fire is not a threat to the community of Little Red River at this time

swallace@panow.com

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