Half of Stanley Mission residents told to evacuate due to wildfire

By Derek Cornet

Approximately 1,000 residents of Stanley Mission are being evacuated due to the nearby McCafe fire.

Those who are being told to evacuate are doing so either for health reasons or they belong to a vulnerable sector of the population. People evacuating include those with respiratory or chronic illnesses, as well as children five and under with their families and Elders older than 65 with an escort.

Stanley Mission has a population of about 2,000 people.

“We already have the buses there because we had the buses on standby in La Ronge,” said Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson.

“There are three buses in Stanley Mission and we are anticipating two more buses today. We’re ordering more buses and we’re also paying for mileage for the ones who choose to take their own vehicles. We’re providing gas vouchers for that.”

Cook-Searson said it’s important for those evacuating to register with health staff at the Elders Centre across from the band hall in Stanley Mission. She noted many residents will be sent to Saskatoon, but added it’s likely there won’t be space for all evacuees there.

The McCafe fire, which covered 3,900 hectares on Monday, continues to grow. Last night, the community’s landfill was destroyed and the Nihithow Askiy (Land of the Cree) Cultural Education Camp was threatened by approaching flames.

“We’re trying to be proactive,” Cook-Searson said. “We are anticipating smoke to come into the community later on this week. That’s why we are moving the priority ones and priority twos.”

Air and ground crews continue to respond to the McCafe fire, which is burning at the south end of McCaffery/Merasty Lake. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and Prince Albert Grand Council are assisting local firefighters.

As of Wednesday at 2 p.m., there were five active fires across Saskatchewan, with the McCafe fire being the only one uncontained. Uncontained means suppression action is occurring, but the fire is expected to grow in size.

A fire ban remains in place in the tri-communities, Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, Grandmother’s Bay, Hall Lake, Stanley Mission and Sucker River due to dry weather conditions.