‘Everyone's kind of scared': Sask. evacuees move out of wildfire danger and into provincial centres
WATCH: As wildfires rage throughout the province, evacuees are doing their best to find comfort amid chaos.
With ten wildfires listed as uncontained in Saskatchewan, residents in affected communities are being forced to leave their homes to stay safe.
The City of Saskatoon is jumping in to help with evacuations from communities affected by wildfires.
The Cosmo Civic Centre is closed as of Tuesday afternoon to accommodate an influx of evacuees.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety agency says 1,700 people have been evacuated from Pelican Narrows – which is in full evacuation mode. Many of those fleeing the fires – coming to Saskatoon.
'Our whole community is surrounded by fire. The fire is only a few kilometers away. So, everyone's kind of scared to lose houses and everything like that because then if, you know, if we lose houses, then we're totally displaced,' Blayne Pearson-McCallum told CTV News.
He arrived by bus Monday with his family.
'So, I'm here with my girlfriend and, our kids, and we're currently expecting a baby, too, so it's kind of, kind of throwing more problems into everything,' he said.
The Red Cross confirmed to CTV News in an email that the organization is assisting those evacuated from the communities of Hall Lake, Sikachu Lake, Clam Bridge and Pelican Narrows.
The Red Cross is providing registration, reception, temporary accommodations and personal services. The temporary accommodations are in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
The Heritage Inn and Saskatoon Inn are currently taking in evacuees.
Rebecca Halkett arrived from Hall Lake with about 380 others from that community.
'I could see the smoke, but it's a good thing we came because, you know, yesterday they could see the flames right across the lake. Today the fire's really spread,' Halkett said.
She arrived with her two kids, and she worries about their wellbeing.
'I have a son that has autism and is very hard on him being away from home because he's used to his routines so it's kind of hard,' she said.
Halkett is happy with the support from the Red Cross. Rides are provided so they can leave the hotel.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) Vice President Steve Roberts said the decision to evacuate or to send residents back home is left up to local leadership in affected areas.
'That will be through consult consultation of what's happening, with the smoke and with the fire. Their level of protection and assurance that, the community will be a safe place to return to,' Roberts explained.
For now, provincial centres are preparing for the influx of residents. How many will seek refuge is unclear as mother nature will ultimately decide.
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