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The Saskatchewan Government has doubled the amount it will give to wildfire evacuees registered with Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).
SPSA said in a news release on June 7 that Minister of Public Safety Tim McLeod, in conjunction with SPSA, has raised the amount provided to the head of household to $40 per day, up from $20.
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Funds provided for additional members of a household would increase to $20 per day, up from $10, bringing the daily maximum of $200 per day, the release said.
There have been 33 communities evacuated in the province.
“While we are hoping to soon have some individuals and families repatriated back to their communities, we know that some will have to continue to be evacuated as we deal with ensuring safe cleanup of these devasting wildfires,” McLeod said in the release.
“Frontline crews and multiple agencies are working as quickly as possible to do so.”
The Government of Saskatchewan has also provided $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross to help Saskatchewan residents who have been displaced from their homes, as wildfires continue to threaten communities across the province.
The release said the Red Cross is working closely with Indigenous leadership and all levels of government to provide emergency accommodations, personal services and critical information to people who have been forced from their homes.
Anyone from an evacuated community and looking for information or support, can contact the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Evacuees who have registered with SPSA’s Emergency and Community Support (ECS) program, can call 1-855-559-5502 to seek information or support.
The ECS program is intended to meet the urgent, basic needs of Saskatchewan residents who have been displaced from their homes due to a disaster, the release said.
A proncicial state of emergency is in effect until June 29 and can be extended, if necessary.
SPSA is providing daily updates on the current wildfire situation, and anyone who spots a wildfire can call 1-800-667-9660, dial 9-1-1 or contact their closest SPSA Forest Protection Area office, the release added.
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