The firefight on the Prairies wildfire front took a new turn Friday as officials in two provinces worked to support evacuees, while affected communities readied themselves to bring residents home.
Earlier this week, Saskatchewan’s government announced emergency support payments would be given to people forced to flee. It came after the province’s ombudsman slammed the government’s wildfire response.
Speaking at a news conference, Premier Scott Moe said Friday the government is working to distribute the $500 payouts to adult evacuees in a matter of “days, not weeks.”
“We’re working on all of those fronts so that we don’t leave anyone out, but also that we don’t slow down the effort to get this into families’ hands as soon as possible,” Moe said.
Sharon Pratchler, the province’s ombudsman, said in her criticism earlier this week that Moe’s government was failing to provide them immediate food, shelter and basic information.
Pratchler had said some evacuees who called the government for help were told it would take four days to hear back, forcing many to sleep in their cars or rely on other supports.
The fires have forced upwards of 15,000 people in Saskatchewan out of their homes in recent weeks.
Marlo Pritchard with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said Friday just over 10,000 were in the process of returning.
He also said the support backlog had been addressed and evacuees could expect to receive aid immediately or within 24 hours.
“That is thanks to pulling in resources from across government, especially social services, that helped us man the phone lines and reduce that backlog very quickly,” Pritchard said.
Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz said the province’s ban on all-terrain vehicles would be lifted later Friday, but a widespread fire ban was to remain in effect.
There were 20 active fires in Saskatchewan as of late Friday. Officials said fire crews were making good headway after parts of the remote north got some much-needed rain.
Elsewhere on the Prairies, two First Nations organizations teamed up to provide services for Manitoba wildfire evacuees.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization, which represents 32 First Nations in southern Manitoba, said it would provide culturally safe supports to hundreds who have fled to Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and the Winkler and Morden area.
Thousands from five northern First Nations have been forced out over the last two weeks, with many staying in Winnipeg.
Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said the organization is committed to providing compassionate, dignified and culturally grounded care.
“Having to meet the need that we are seeing on the ground, I think, has been the highest priority for all of us and being able to do that in a timely way, as well, has been very important to everybody who’s going through this situation right now.”
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 26 northern First Nations, has led support efforts in Winnipeg, but said it needed help reaching evacuees outside the city.
“We don’t have enough manpower to be able to go to all of these (sites),” Grand Chief Garrison Settee said Friday.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has said some hotel owners need to do more to help evacuees, as some are still sleeping on cots in emergency shelters.
Meanwhile, some Manitoba communities are preparing to welcome residents back.
Evacuees from Snow Lake, in northwestern Manitoba, can begin going home early Saturday. Officials have said residents should stock up on groceries and other essentials and have a bag ready in case they need to leave again.
Government officials said nearly 1,800 people were expected to return home this weekend.
Officials in Flin Flon, a city of 5,000, have said crews are holding the fire line and conditions are stabilizing.
Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk, on social media, said the city has reached out to the Northern Health Region to see about reinstating basic core health-care services.
“We’re hoping to get some answers from them as soon as possible,” she said in a video post.
About 21,000 people in Manitoba have had to flee the fires, including from Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and other areas.
As of Friday, there were 21 active fires in Manitoba.
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