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Residents of the Red Earth Cree Nation are preparing to return home after wildfires in the area prompted an evacuation.
The Cree nation northeast of Nipawin was evacuated on May 30 after a wildfire in the area began to threaten travel on Highway 55. Some residents left in their own vehicles, while others boarded charter buses that took them to temporary accommodations in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina.
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According to an update shared to the Cree nation’s social media page on Tuesday, the wildfire threat in the area has lessened, allowing residents to return after five days away from home.
Liam Nawakayas is one of the more than 1,200 people who had to evacuate. He understood why the evacuation was necessary, but leaving Red Earth Cree Nation was difficult.
He recalled seeing smoke near the community before residents were told to leave.
“I knew it was serious, but I hated it. I didn’t want to leave at first,” he said.
After arriving in Regina, Nawakayas said evacuees were well-supported and credited those who helped provide food, accommodations and other necessities during their stay.
“It was good; the food was good, and they provided everything,” he said. “They really took care of us.”
As buses prepared to depart Regina, Nawakayas said he was looking forward to returning to familiar surroundings after several days away from home.
“I’d rather go sleep in my own bed.”
Laurel Head also had to evacuate. He said returning home means more than ending the evacuation. Many people are eager to get back to their routines and reconnect with everyday life in the community.
“Oh yes, it’s just get back home and go golf and go back to work and go back to our old ways,” he shared.
Head spent part of the evacuation helping coordinate support for community members. He described the experience as challenging but necessary.
“It’s been a crazy thing with the membership and all. I’m doing requests like food, snacks, water – we have to look after the people,” Head explained.
Before boarding the bus home, Head thanked emergency responders, community leadership and volunteers who supported evacuees throughout the wildfire response.
“I’d like to say thank you for the Red Cross and the chief and council and emergency response team and everyone who’s helping out.”
Nawakayas said residents had little time to prepare once the evacuation order was issued, with many leaving quickly as wildfire concerns grew near the community.
“We just had to all go right away before the fire got close,” Nawakayas said.
The message from the nation’s chief and council said those who used their own vehicles during the evacuation were welcome to head home on Tuesday, while charter buses are set to depart from the evacuation centres at 11 a.m. to bring back the remaining residents.
“We would like to thank all community members for their patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout this evacuation,” the announcement read.
“We also extend our gratitude to the emergency responders, support staff, volunteers, leadership, and our program managers who assisted in ensuring the safety and well-being of our members.”
This evacuation was the second for the Red Earth Cree Nation this spring. The community was previously evacuated in May due to flooding.
According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, 12 wildfires were burning around the province as of 7 a.m. on Wednesday, two of which were not contained.
Saskatchewan has seen 96 wildfires so far this season, which is well below the five-year average of 165 and significantly lower than the 228 wildfires seen by June 3, 2025.
