There is some good news today on the forest fire front.
There is rain in the forecast for the La Ronge area and more evacuees are getting the all clear to return home.
The most significant impact on the fires could be delivered by mother nature, not soldiers.
There are showers today, but tomorrow there could be more than an inch of rain…30 to 40 millimetres is forecast.
This is exactly what has been missing for the past couple of months, a good downpour.
The director of wildfire support, Daryl Jessop, says it will make a big difference.
“It’s a turning point, a major turning point from where we have been, “ He says, “If we get this weather and it comes through, it will be a major turning point for us.”
Evacuees are on the move again today and residents of Montreal Lake and La Loche are among those headed home.
Colin King, the deputy commissioner of emergency management says as soon as a community is deemed safe, and the fire threat has passed, residents will be allowed home.
He says the number of communities meeting that criteria is growing.
“Those communities include La Loche, Dillon, Michel Village and St. George’s Hill, Montreal Lake, Ramsey Bay, Weyakwin and Timber Bay,” he says. “Those plans will be implemented today and tomorrow as logistical arrangements allow.”
There are currently 126 fires burning in the province and 23 are out of control.
About 99 structures have been lost, mainly cabins.
Social Services is looking after more than 9,700 evacuees, most are from the La Ronge area.
It is surrounded by a fire that is about 960 square kilometres in size.
Firefighters have managed to prevent it from getting bigger, but have not been able to get it under control.
Wildfire officials do say the fire no longer poses an immediate threat to the community.