University of Regina hosting hundreds of northern Sask. wildfire evacuees
The University of Regina is hosting more than 450 people from the Shoal Lake Cree Nation and the Red Earth Cree Nation who have evacuated their homes due to wildfires in the area.
Vera Young, a community member of the Shoal Lake Cree Nation, said they started arriving at the university of Friday after heavy smoke forced leaders to evacuate.
Young said it was the worst smoke she’s ever experienced from wildfires.
“The smoke was getting thick and every time people would step outside of their houses they could smell the smoke,” she said. “Even with their [air conditioning units] running, it would still get in.”
Some community members were brought to other centres including Prince Albert, Nipawin and Melfort.
Young said they are all thankful for the support from both the University of Regina and the Canadian Red Cross, who is also helping.
“The community leadership of Shoal Lake and Red Earth, and the Prince Albert Grand Council have handled this evacuation and we’ve followed their lead,” Luc Mullinder, the vice president of the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatchewan, said.
The Red Cross helped with lodging, food, safety checks and providing cash cards to evacuees.
The Chief of Shoal Lake Cree Nation Marcel Head said as of Tuesday, the air quality has improved, meaning some members are able to return home again. He said residents with respiratory conditions may be asked to wait longer until it clears up more.
As of Tuesday, there are still more than 100 people from the communities staying at the university dorms in Regina.
“Some of the families were homesick on Saturday, missing family [members] that they left back home that had to stay back to look after their houses and their belongings,” Young said.
The University of Regina said staff members from several departments have stepped up to accommodate the unexpected visitors and to help them feel as comfortable as possible.
COVID-19 protocols are in effect for those staying in the school’s two residence towers, which includes masking in indoor public places and enhanced cleaning.
Those staying on campus have access to recreational equipment and facilities, including the pool and play spaces for children.
Young said she’s hopeful most people will be able to head home on Wednesday.
She said although they are all eager to return, they have been finding the positives in this emergency situation.
“For some, it was a good weekend and couple of days to see their family they haven’t seen in a year,” she said.
The University of Regina said it has advised the Red Cross, who is organizing the initiative, that it cannot accommodate any more evacuees at this time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
As Hurricane Milton makes landfall, more than 1.6 million customers are left without power in Florida
The Category 2 storm has left 1.6 million homes and businesses without power in Florida as Milton pummels through the state.
Company must refund $1-million deposit after failing to complete West Vancouver home on time, court rules
A West Vancouver company has been ordered to repay a homebuyer's $1-million deposit after it failed to complete construction on the property in time.
Did John Rustad witness an overdose death on his way to the B.C. leaders' debate?
During the campaign, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad has repeatedly said people are "dying on the streets" in the province – and on Tuesday he claimed to have witnessed that very thing in downtown Vancouver while he was on his way to the leaders' debate.
Washington state woman calls 911 after being hounded by up to 100 raccoons
Sheriff's deputies in Washington's Kitsap County frequently get calls about animals -- loose livestock, problem dogs. But the 911 call they received recently from a woman being hounded by dozens of raccoons swarming her home near Poulsbo stood out.
video Why are there cars in the Detroit River?
Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.
Biden, Harris condemn storm misinformation ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall
President Joe Biden warned on Wednesday that Hurricane Milton carried incredible destructiveness and urged people to take safe shelter while condemning misinformation about the storm as un-American.
Hundreds of thousands of popular vehicles recalled in Canada over steering issue
Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled in Canada due to a steering-related issue that could increase a driver's risk of crash.
'We want things to go forward': Bloc leader hints his party 'might' help end House impasse
The leader of the Bloc Quebecois says his party 'might play a role' in helping the Liberals get House of Commons business rolling again — after days of Conservative-led debate on a privilege matter — but that his assistance would come at a cost.
Pilot dies aboard Turkish Airlines flight, forcing emergency landing in New York
A Turkish Airlines jetliner headed from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday after the captain died on board, an airline official said.