Evacuees from a number of Saskatchewan communities are back home after the wildfire situation in the province improved.
According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), people who had left Ile-a-la-Crosse, Buffalo Narrows, Buffalo River, Dillon, St. George’s Hill and Michel Village have returned home.
The agency said it was continuing to support about 325 evacuees from Patuanak and English River in North Battleford.
“The community of Deschambault Lake self-evacuated,” the SPSA said in a release. “Questions regarding that evacuation should be pointed to the community.”
As of 1:15 p.m. Monday, there were 21 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. One was considered contained, but seven were not contained.
The SPSA said there have been 191 fires this year, well above the five-year average for this time of year of 118.
Environment Canada’s special air quality statements remained in place across the northern half of the province due to smoke from the wildfires.