The last of the 615 evacuees of Red Sucker Lake First Nation are returning home today
They had been evacuated their homes last week following a nearby forest fire. The evacuation was voluntary, as the First Nation leadership, as well as Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, determined on May 25th that those in the community whose health could be at risk due to the fire should be evacuated.
The Canadian Red Cross had been providing assistance in Winnipeg to the evacuees, providing them with lodging, food, clothing, personal items and anything else they needed.
Cailin Hodder, the senior manager of disaster management for Manitoba and Nunavut said in a statement that "The Red Cross team of volunteers and staff has worked very closely with the leadership of Red Sucker Lake First Nation to make sure the evacuees have received all of the support they have needed. We are happy it is now safe for the residents to return and we are working with the community leadership to ensure that happens smoothly so that everyone can get back home to their daily lives."
The return home is taking a few days to complete; as the Red Cross is flying all of the evacuees from Winnipeg back home to Red Sucker Lake, and the plane being used has a limited seating capacity. The expenses incurred by the Red Cross in assisting the evacuees will be covered by the Federal government.
