Junction of Highway 106 and 135 Sunday. Photo courtesy of Saskatchewan Department of Highways.
Provincial fire crews in northern Saskatchewan continue to battle fires even as many evacuees return home.
Last month, over 2,500 people were evacuated from their homes in Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay due to wildfires. On Thursday, many of those residents began the journey home.
Emergency social services says several buses have already left Saskatoon and Prince Albert full of evacuees returning home. Others are returning home in their own private vehicles.
Deanna Valentine, coordinator for ESS, says these buses will continue running until everyone is allowed to return home. Valentine says around half of those evacuated will be able to return home. However, people with health risks, pregnant woman and children under two are remaining evacuated.
Highway 106 is closed to regular traffic, but the buses and others returning will join guided convoys to Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay.
Meanwhile, some fires continue to threaten other smaller communities as Birch Portage, Tryell Lake and Jan Lake remain on evacuation.
Duane McKay, commissioner for emergency management, says the cooler temperatures in the past few days has helped their efforts. However, he says this will bring more dense smoke to the area.
McKay says they have set up air purification systems at some of the buildings to give residents some reprieve from the smoke.
“The firefighting efforts are not nearly over, but we are seeing strong progress,” he said.
Students from Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay are scheduled to return to school on Monday.