The residents of the northern village of Pinehouse, Sask., Had a long trip south on Wednesday night after forest fires forced them to evacuate Regina by convoy.
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Andrew Netmaker was in the midst of preparing for work when he received the call to evacuate the village, which is about 575 kilometers northwest of Regina.
“He took me by surprise,” he said.
“Knowing that community security was at risk … people in charge told us that it was a mandatory evacuation.”
Netmaker packed “nothing super personal,” he just took his clothes and hygiene items.
“I couldn’t even bring much what I wanted, but I understand in the heat of the moment that it is not really something to prioritize,” he said.
Netmaker went as part of the first convoltment of evacuated around 9:30 pm CST on Wednesday and arrived in Regina just before 6 pm on Thursday.
“I haven’t slept anything, but that’s how it is,” Netmaker said.
He said they saw “a few burning fires” about 20 minutes from the Northern village.
“Nothing too big, but it’s not something you feel comfortable,” Netmaker said. “It was a bit scary and I’m happy to be away from that.”
Jeffrey Natomagan was also part of the first convoy on Wednesday night.
He went to the Community Hall, where those with walks were separated from those who took buses.
“As soon as he opened the way, we took out our first convoy,” Natomagan said.
The second bus continued shortly after.
The evacuation was not as terrifying as some that Natomagan has experienced in the past.
“The city made him feel comfortable,” he said, adding that the evacuation was handled well.
He said he saw more firefighters entering with three excavators when the buses were leaving.
“I have a lot of confidence,” he said about community fire fighting efforts.
Bonnie Kim Natomagan also left the town on Wednesday night.
“That is the longest trip I’ve had,” he said.
He joined some of his family, including his youngest daughter and granddaughter.
“I think I had only one hour of sleep,” he said.
She said it is the third time she has had to evacuate, but the first time she comes to Regina.
“It’s beautiful here,” he said.
She hopes to stay in Regina during the next week or two.
Shelley Natomagan works with the local Kineepik Mécis and arrived in Regina a week ago to help accommodate the evacuees. He is also a resident of Pinehouse.
She said they have been busy since the two evacueted buses arrived on Thursday morning.
“We are still working to try everyone to settle everyone and in the right hotels,” he said.
The evacuees have been housed in four regina hotels, including ramada in the city center.
“I am really grateful and grateful for all the help we have been receiving in the city,” Shelley said.
“It helps us, you know, be comfortable here and not feel, just for the home.”
The call to evacuate
The Facebook page for the town asked the residents on Wednesday to pack light and prepare for the southern trip.
“This will be a long trip, since we will go farther to the south. Past water, snacks, anything that needs for a long trip,” said the post.
Buses were available to take residents to Regina, according to the post.
The community is being threatened by the Muskeg fire, which also invaded the neighboring community of Beauval.
The vice president of the Public Security Agency of Saskatchewan (SPSA), Steve Roberts, said the east side of that fire, in front of Beauval, is now affecting the area around Pinehouse.
“That community will now be under an evacuation order and eliminate all its non -essential residents,” Roberts said.
Meanwhile, the non -vulnerable residents of Beauval were allowed to return home yesterday. The mayor of Beauval, Rick Laliberte, previously told CBC that the community is better protected from Muskeg’s fire, since there is a river that separates it from the people.
“The southern part of the fire has been very well insured,” Roberts said, but other areas of the Muskeg fire are threatening communities such as English River First Nation and Patunak’s village.
Roberts said that 11 communities in Saskatchewan were currently evacuated and that around 3,000 people are displaced in Saskatchewan due to forest fires, until Wednesday afternoon.
Updated information about active fires, smoke and related topics is available in these sources:
