An evacuation order for Beauval, Sask., a community about 340 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, was lifted Wednesday, nearly a month after the Muskeg Fire forced residents to leave.
Many stayed in cities like Saskatoon or Moose Jaw. They began returning Wednesday morning on government-arranged buses.
Beauval resident Tyrese Lafleur said she was grateful for the help from the province, but is ready to return.
“It’s been good. They supported us, gave us drinks and food. Really good to us,” she said. “I’m excited to go back home.”
Residents who couldn’t travel back yet, like families with young kids or people with respiratory issues, have been offered support to stay where they are for now by the local Emergency Operations Committee.
For Laura Natewayes, that means waiting a little longer for her dad to come home. She said she understands why not everyone can return right away.
“I’m just wishing they’d come here today,” Natewayes said.
Residents considered Priority 1 — those with serious health risks if exposed to smoke — and Priority 2 — people at moderate risk, like young children, pregnant people and some seniors — are being advised to stay away from the community for now.
Anyone else has been told to return home on the government-arranged buses Wednesday, as the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency will not renew hotel rooms for those not listed.
Beauval’s state of emergency will remain in place until at least Aug. 6.
As residents return, Beauval is leaning heavily on local supports and provincial aid to help ease the transition back to normal life.
The Canadian Red Cross announced Wednesday that financial assistance is available for people “evacuated from their primary residence due to wildfires in Saskatchewan.”
Through a partnership with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), the Red Cross is distributing $750 in one-time re-entry support and $2,000 in extended displacement support.
The Red Cross says members of First Nations will receive the money though their local leadership and everyone else will get it directly from the Red Cross.
In addition to the logistical support co-ordinated through the Beauval Emergency Operations Centre, the SPSA and other government departments are providing further assistance ranging from money to mental health resources.
At a news conference Wednesday, SPSA vice-president Steve Roberts said the community will be working on getting infrastructure, grocery needs, gas and health-care centres back up and running, “so that when they arrive they can basically start to get back to business as usual.”
Beauval schools are still closed, but Roberts said anything else that’s typically government-run should be open as evacuees return.
He also restated that evacuees will receive a $500 recovery check from the provincial government.
“To, again, restock their fridges, do any cleanup they might have to do in their house because of the smoke,” Roberts said. “They will be receiving that as well once they return to their communities.”
