La Ronge area set to lift evacuation order Thursday, band chief says [Video]

Thousands of Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees are about to be able to go home, with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band announcing residents will be able to return to the La Ronge area starting Thursday.

Chief Tammy Cook-Searson confirmed to Global News the barrier on the south side of the tri-community will be removed on Thursday at 8 a.m., the same time the evacuation order will lift.

“We are grateful we’ll be able to start returning our community members home,” she said.

The area, home to over 7,000 people, was evacuated on June 2 as the PISEW wildfire rapidly advanced towards the region from the west. Residents described fleeing in vehicles while flames roared on the side of the highway.

The fire did breach La Ronge, burning down the iconic Robertson’s Trading Post, as well as the local Rona store. Firefighters also faced challenges around the La Ronge airport and other …