More than 110 forest fires continue to burn in Saskatchewan, with residents from the La Ronge area being evacuated to various cities including Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina.
As of Monday, July 6, 540 firefighters and 1,400 Canadian Armed Forces members had been deployed to the fire lines across Saskatchewan.
Of those 1,940 members, nearly 500 of them had been sent to La Ronge, Lac La Ronge and Air Ronge areas.
La Ronge area communities were put under an evacuation notice July 4.
Among those evacuated from the Village of Air Ronge are Amanda Green and fiancé Dan Wells, former Flin Flon residents.
The couple, who said their situation is fortunate compared to many others, were in BC when the fires first began.
“It was pretty scary to watch from afar, as the fires were getting a lot of news coverage out west,” said Green.
The couple had booked plane tickets to Saskatoon on July 4. About two hours before their expected departure word came of the mandatory evacuation notice.
“When you hear of a mandatory evacuation, you immediately assume the worst,” Green said, adding that she was worried about their cat left at home. “The thought of my kitty being burned alive in my home – I don’t think I could live with myself.”
Green and Wells were able to count on friends who had not yet evacuated to rescue their pet. “I was [worried sick] trying to figure out how to get him out.”
The evacuation notice, the fires and the realization of what could happen are hard pills to swallow for many La Ronge area residents.
“It’s scary, when you sit back and think about what could happen,” Green said. “The thought of losing everything – it sucks. But, [we have] each other, and that’s really all we need. The stuff that gets burned…is just that, stuff. I’m trying to be optimistic.”
The couple resides on the south-east end of Air Ronge, making them “lucky” in the situation as the fire was burning in the north-west.
Still under the evacuation order, Green and Wells had been staying with friends in Saskatoon, but have since been moved to a hotel through Wells’ work.
“We are really fortunate in that regard,” said Green. “There are thousands of people who are in a much less fortunate state than us right now.”
Green said she is “starting to have hope that no one will lose their home” from the fires, as crews continue to battle the blaze.
Weather forecasts are calling for rain for the area on Friday. “I hope it pours,” Green said.
Green said there hasn’t been any word about when the evacuation order will be lifted.
“But that’s fair because you really can’t predict this sort of thing,” she said.
In a rush to get from Vancouver to Saskatoon, Green flew with nothing but a cell phone, passport and one change of clothes.
Now in Saskatoon, Green said they have been replacing essential items as well as trying to remain calm.
“I’m trying to rest a lot, which is so important in stressful times,” she said. “I’m also glued to Facebook right now, as that’s our main source for updates on the fires.”
Green said the fires have brought the community closer together.
“It’s really amazing how a natural disaster can bring a community closer together,” she said. “At least there’s some beauty in all of this.”
