La Loche evacuees reflect on wildfire and being away from home
'It's just that we're not getting help like the way we're supposed to be,' says Jack Janvier
Jack Janvier left behind the family cabin he grew up in La Loche, Sask., amid heavy smoke, before arriving in Regina 13 hours later with a sore back.
He was one of several residents of the village more than 500 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon who were evacuated to Regina by bus, when the uncontained Park Fire threatened the community, creating heavy smoke last weekend.
As of Tuesday morning, 13 communities were under evacuation order as 80 wildfires burned across the province.
"It is far from home. It's just that we're not getting help like the way we're supposed to be. Like even with our clothing, we're still wearing the same clothes because we got evacuated just like that," said Janvier, wearing a Toronto Blue Jays hat and an Edmonton Oilers T-shirt.
He said the bus ride was long and they only stopped once for a few minutes.
At one point, near the community of Beauval, Sask., Janvier said they drove through a fire that was by the side of the road.
"We had a lot of kids on the bus too," said Janvier, who spoke to CBC in front of the Delta Hotel where he and many other evacuees are staying.
He's hoping that his family's cabin, which his parents built, is still standing when he goes back home.
"I basically grew up there," he said.
No time to pack a change of clothes
Like Jack Janvier, Bonnie Janvier arrived in Regina without a change of clothes. The two share a last name, but are not related.
"We were rushed out of La Loche," she said. "I don't live in the town area. I didn't have the time to go home and pack."
She said she had just finished a 16-hour shift at work when the mandatory notice was made at the last minute. She wasn't able to find a ride to her home, which is six kilometres outside the community, to allow her to grab things for herself and her granddaughter.
"We're trying to ask for help. Nobody's helping us. [Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency] said they're going to bring clothes, I'm still standing in my same clothes," she said.
In a statement, SPSA said it is supporting over 350 evacuees from La Loche and that evacuees are provided with basic necessities such as accommodations, food and health services.
While Bonnie Janvier said she was one of the first to be put on the evacuation bus because she has cancer, she's considering hitchhiking back to La Loche with her granddaughter.
"She's frustrated. She wants to go home," Bonnie Janvier said.
A long ride, 'but kind of fun,' says one evacuee
Tammy Herman and her nine-year-old granddaughter are also staying in Regina after a long drive. She said it was prolonged when they were forced to change buses in Prince Albert, Sask., because of problems with the air conditioning.
"It was all right. It was kind of fun, I guess," said Herman while laughing.
She said it is her first time in Regina and they've been enjoying the hotel swimming pool.
"Hopefully, we'll just get back home soon," she said, adding that her granddaughter misses her puppy.
Clearwater River Dene Nation under mandatory evacuation order
Clearwater River Dene Nation is about a half-dozen kilometres from La Loche. It is also under mandatory evacuation due to smoke. That was put in place last Friday for priority one and two individuals, who have since been transported to hotels in Bonnyville, Alta., and Saskatoon.
In a Tuesday Facebook post, the First Nation's emergency response team said only three millimetres of rain has fallen on the fire. It said the conditions are conducive to flare-ups, but the wind conditions are helping with containment efforts.
While the Park Fire continues to expand on the northeast corner, the community remains protected, the post said.
The First Nation is being supported by about 100 firefighters, with crews using helicopter supports and water-hauling equipment to target hot spots, it said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Highway Hotline showed Highway 955 remained closed for roughly 60 kilometres from La Loche to just past the Clearwater Truss Bridge.
Rain brings some relief to Buhl Fire
The Buhl Fire, which now sits at just over 95,000 hectares in size, received between 2.5 and 15 millimetres of rain Monday, Parks Canada said. Ramsey Bay also received 12 to 15 millimetres of rain.
"The much-needed rain yesterday helped reduce fire intensity in key areas," Parks Canada said in an update Tuesday.
However, it said some areas received little to no precipitation as rainfall was spotty.
Crews continued to fight the fire threatening the park's northeast end and extinguish hot spots along its eastern and southeastern perimeters, it said.
The fire remains within:
- 0.9 kilometres of Ramsey Bay, Sask.
- 12.5 kilometres of Montreal Lake, Sask.
- 30.6 kilometres of Waskesiu, Sask.
- 31.8 kilometres of Bittern Lake, Sask.
- 34.8 kilometres of Elk Ridge, Sask.
- 37.9 kilometres of McPhee Lake, Sask.
Parks Canada warns those traveling on Highway 2 north of Waskesiu of reduced visibility and possible fire activity that can be seen from the road. It said crews are working adjacent to the roadway.
More than 160 personnel are responding, as well as 11 helicopters and an infrared scanning drone, according to the update.
Up-to-date info on active fires, smoke and related topics is available at these sources:
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