Friday July 17, 2015. 9: 30a.m. Up-Date
Mandatory evacuation order lifted Lac La Ronge Indian Band (La Ronge), Air Ronge and Town of La Ronge.
Road will open at 1p.m. today.
Arrangements are being made for buses to bring back people who need travel assistance. However, leaders expect many families to make their way back to the Lac La Ronge area in their own vehicles this afternoon.
The evacuation order is also lifted for Wadin Bay and English Bay subdivisions.
Essential services are available, including potable water, electricity, and basic medical services.
However, natural gas will not be on in some homes, as SaskEnergy crews are still undertaking that work door to door.
While local stores are bringing back staff and goods, evacuees should consider bringing some basic supplies back with them.
A basic emergency room will be set up and ready at the La Ronge Health Center. The initial services will focus on emergency medical needs, and will not be able to respond to chronic health concerns until more staff is in place.
It will take 24-48 hours to bring back more staff and set up a full slate of medical services, including a lab, x-ray, and physiotherapy. The clinic will not be open until the start of next week, but a pharmacy will be open this weekend.
It will be early next week, possibly Tuesday, before mail begins to arrive from holding in Prince Albert.
Given that smokey conditions still exist, the general evacuation order will remain in place for people with chronic illnesses, children 2 years old and younger, and pregnant women.
Mandatory evacuation orders are still in place for all residents of the subdivisions of Eagle Point, Nemeiben Lake, Lamp Lake, and the communities of Sucker River , Hall Lake, Sikachu Lake and Clam Lake. Fire threats continue to be assessed for these locations.
Posted on behalf of the Emergency Operations Centre for the Town La Ronge, Village of Air Ronge, and Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson
Lac La Ronge Indian Band