The Merkley fire burning near Southend on Aug. 27. (Karol Shawna/Facebook)

By larongeNOW Staff

Heading Home

More northern wildfire evacuees heading home

Sep 12, 2024 | 9:05 AM

Conditions are stable enough for Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) members from Southend to return home.

The announcement was made late Wednesday night and by Thursday morning more than 980 evacuees that have spent the last several weeks in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina were in buses and on their way home.

A notice issued by the PBCN said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reassessed the Merkley fire, and it is no longer considered a threat to the community.

“Value protection resources have been demobilized and Hwy 102 leading to the community is now deemed safe,” the note read.

Power, potable water, and sewer systems are fully functional as are essential services including health, RCMP, gas stations and stores.

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Members were notified that the Arthur Morin Memorial Health Centre is equipped to support returning evacuees and gas cards will be available for those who self-evacuated.

Earlier in the week, an evacuation order for the northeast village of Sandy Bay was rescinded and roughly 1,800 residents from there were also able to return home.

As of Thursday morning, there were 64 active wildfires burning in the province and 584 wildfires to date.

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