Support centre opens in Denare Beach, Sask., for residents affected by wildfires

Residents of Denare Beach who suffered losses in the Wolf wildfire now have a place to turn for support.

The Community Resilience Centre will be operating at the Denareplex, located at 1700 Wigwam Drive, to help those affected by the wildfire. The centre opened Thursday and will operate from noon to 9 p.m., reopening again Friday morning from 9 a.m. to noon. It is expected to continue operating two days per week in the coming weeks.

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The province said the facility will provide a safe, supportive space where people can receive case management, share concerns and access help with financial supports, applications and mental health services. Representatives from SGI, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Social Services, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program, and the Canadian Red Cross are among those on site to provide information and services.

Denare Beach, Sask., calls for provincial help after homes lost to wildfire

21 days ago

Duration 2:04

Mayor Carl Lentowicz of Denare Beach said his community is looking at a long journey of rebuilding homes and businesses in the northern Saskatchewan village.

Premier Scott Moe, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, called this year's wildfires "absolutely devastating," especially for communities like Denare Beach.

"They're hotter, they're more intense than what we have seen in years gone by," Moe said. "Close to 300 homes have been lost, largely in East Trout Lake and Denare Beach, where we had a very vicious fire move in on very short notice."

Moe said the province is committed to long-term recovery and highlighted recent spending, including $20 million to help communities impacted by the wildfires to begin rebuilding.

"Families that have lost their homes — many, all too many — are very much well heard by the broader Government of Saskatchewan," he said. "We will continue to be there to support Saskatchewan families as our fire season is not finished yet."

Local leadership in Denare Beach welcomed the support.

"The establishment of a Resilience Centre for Denare Beach is an important step in helping the community start the recovery process," Denare Beach Mayor Carl Lentowicz said in a news release. "We are appreciative of the support being provided by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Recovery Task Team and look forward to working with them to increase the resiliency of our community."

The provincial government said it is committed to supporting local recovery efforts.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to partner with the community of Denare Beach to help quickly begin the recovery process," Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said.

"I thank the local community leaders and the Recovery Task Team who continue to collaborate and to start the recovery process together."

Up-to-date info on active fires, smoke and related topics is available at these sources:

• Current evacuation orders.
• Interactive Sask. active fire map.
• Fire danger map.
• Fire bans.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada weather alerts.
• Sask. Highway Hotline.
• Smoke forecast.
• Air quality.
• Tracking wildfires across Canada.