Saskatchewan doubles financial aid for residents impacted by wildfires

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Heads of households registered with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) can now receive $40 a day, up from $20, the province announced Saturday.

Additional members of the household can now receive $20 a day, up from $10, bringing the maximum daily total up to $200, stated a government news release detailing the changes meant to help residents impacted by ongoing wildfires.

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“While we are hoping to soon have some individuals and families repatriated back to their communities, we know that some will have to continue to be evacuated as we deal with ensuring safe cleanup of these devastating wildfires,” said Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod in the release.

There were 24 active wildfires as of Friday and 33 communities have been evacuated, states the release.

The fires have forced between 10,000 and 15,000 people from their homes throughout Saskatchewan in recent days.

While residents of Weyakwin were able to return home this week, the town’s mayor says “it’s never completely safe” when it comes to wildfire season.

“I’m always apprehensive. I don’t feel a sense of relief as there’s still a smoke threat. I don’t take anything for granted,” Medrick Thomas said in an interview Friday.

“The people that have kids would know better not to come home. On top of that, I am worried about the other fires that are affecting La Ronge and surrounding communities.”

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Rain expected

Poor air quality fuelled by wildfires burning across the Prairies left a large swath of the country enveloped in a haze for another day.

Parts of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador were experiencing poor air quality and reduced visibility due to the wildfires, a situation expected to continue through Sunday.

But Environment Canada meteorologist Jean-Philippe Begin says there’s some good news — a low pressure system passing through the Prairies, currently in northern Saskatchewan and expected to move into Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario by Monday, is expected to bring precipitation for areas hit by out-of-control forest fires.

Help from the Canadian Red Cross

The Government of Saskatchewan has provided $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross to help displaced residents, Saturday’s release also notes.

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“The Canadian Red Cross is working closely with Indigenous leadership and all levels of government to provide emergency accommodations, personal services and critical information to people who have been forced from their homes,” states the release.

Evacuees looking for information or support can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Residents registered with the SPSA’s Emergency and Community Support program can call the SPSA at 1-855-559-5502.

There have been 251 wildfires to date this year, which is well above the five-year average of 141, according to the release. The current state of emergency is in effect until June 29, but can be extended if needed “to address this unprecedented start of the fire season,” the release also states.

— with files from Aidan Jaager, Saskatoon StarPhoenix and The Canadian Press

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