After a month-long evacuation due to a wildfire, residents of Denare Beach in Saskatchewan began returning home on Wednesday. The community of about 700 residents northeast of Prince Albert was forced to flee their homes on May 8, just two days after the Wolf Fire ignited and ripped through the area. As residents trickled back into town, they were met with a scene of devastation. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed with estimates suggesting that up to 400 buildings in the community may be gone. “Having a plan, having information, having support systems, being told that everything is being done to help you, would have gone a long way,” said Jennifer Hysert, who lost her home in the fire. The destruction is a harsh reality for residents who are still reeling from the disaster. Despite the trauma, the community is relieved that no one was hurt or killed in the fire. However, many are frustrated that the community couldn’t be saved, despite warnings about the gravity of the fire. “We were given nothing in terms of funds, support – you name it. There was nothing. And it’s really bothersome to me that that’s possible with the resources we have. We’re not living in 1910,” Hysert added. The Wolf Fire is the province’s third-largest active wildfire, burning nearly 162,000 hectares of land. The smoke was still visible in the distance on Wednesday as residents were grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. Repatriation efforts were slow, with some evacuees coming from Manitoba having to wait until Wednesday to drive back. The province is still dealing with multiple wildfires, with 19 active fires burning in northern Saskatchewan as of Thursday. Only two are considered contained while five are out of control, including the Shoe Fire, which burned over 554,000 hectares, and the Pisew Fire, which has burned over 184,000 hectares. Saskatchewan has seen 267 wildfires this year exceeding the five-year average of 169. Over 30 communities were evacuated and according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), as of Thursday, only two communities - Creighton and East Trout Lake- were under an active evacuation order. - With files from Hayatullah Amanat
