Evacuees seek answers about shelter space, Muskoday opens temporary home

By: Nigel Maxwell

To help accommodate the demands associated with thousands of evacuees from Northern Saskatchewan, an additional registration center has opened up at the Sask Polytech campus in Prince Albert.

Nancy Charles, 68, was turned away and told to register at the Prince Albert Grand Council Urban Services Centre – the same place that told her she should go to the campus.

“It’s very frustrating and very emotional because we’re going back and forth without no help from our Chief and council,” she said. “We have no money for gas right now, we have no vouchers right now, and I have my children here with me and my grandchildren. What are we going to do now?”

Red Cross staff attempt to answer questions. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Read more:

• Province’s largest wildfires measure significant growth overnight
• Experts weigh in on effects from extended wildfire smoke inhalation
• La Ronge evacuated: Stories from Saskatchewan’s burning north

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) estimates between 10,000 and 15,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. The SPSA doesn’t look after all of the evacuees; they are split up between the SPSA, Canadian Red Cross, Lac La Ronge Indian Band and support from various communities.

After registering at Sask Polytech, Joan Nelson was going to stay at her daughter’s place.

“There’s lots of people here. I’m not going to complain about anything. I’m grateful that my house is still standing in La Ronge and I’m grateful for the leaders and the Red Cross and everybody, but we have to be patient too. They’ve been through lots too and their volunteers are probably as exhausted as us,” she said.

Meanwhile, roughly 15 minutes south of Prince Albert, Muskoday School has been transformed into a makeshift shelter and can accommodate 200 people. The cots have been set up in the gym area, and a classroom has been converted into a recreation/activity room. Band Councillor Kelly Bear said when the evacuees first began arriving on Monday, they opened up the band hall to take in about 90 displaced residents.

“We were at capacity. We couldn’t receive anymore, so we transitioned over to the school,” he explained.

Clothing donations for wildfire evacuees. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

During Wednesday’s media briefing, SPSA Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts was asked to comment on evacuee confusion and setups within communities. He confirmed their daily routine includes calls to check for availability of accommodations at local hotels, motels and even a congregate like Sask Polytech or a soccer centre.

“Our preference is to use hotels and not reconfigure large areas, but if we have to we will…even if that means having to move to and fill up North Battleford and Lloydminster. Instead of one location there may be multiple so we pre-plan and then as the events happen we’re continually implementing and having discussions with the communities right from Swift Current all the way up to Prince Albert and beyond,” he said.

Roberts also encouraged evacuees to be patient and if they have questions, to call the toll-free line at 1-855-559-5502.

In addition to Muskoday First Nation, James Smith Cree Nation and Batoche have also opened up space for evacuees. During Tuesday’s media briefing, SPSA President Marlo Pritchard confirmed his appreciation for the additional support.

“We have an absolutely amazing team in SPSA that works in coordinating and planning for evacuation. So, any asset or location that can help support people that are evacuated is a benefit to SPSA, but more importantly, the evacuees,” he said.

Both Muskoday and James Smith have requested donations to help support folks displaced by the wildfires.