Fire forces evacuation

Before an evacuation order was lifted for two fires threatening Stanley Mission First Nation, 1,300 people were evacuated. The initial evacuation of 600 people came on May 24, with 700 more leaving the following day when the only access road was threatened. The evacuation was a precautionary measure only. The smoke was heavy over the community and the fire was estimated to exceed 6,400 hectares. Residents took up temporary shelter in La Ronge, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and surrounding areas. The Red Cross was called in to help. The evacuation order was lifted May 27 but officials asked some of those evacuated from Stanley Mission to stay away. The fire started May 21 and was fuelled by a band of hot, dry weather and shifting winds.