La Loche residents question aid response after wildfire evacuation to Regina

REGINA — Residents of La Loche are frustrated with their current situation as they’re staying in Regina hotels without accommodations being met.

On Thursday, a mandatory evacuation order was given to the village as the Park Fire grew closer.

Bonnie Janvier was one of the first to evacuate due to her having cancer, but has been frustrated with the lack of aid from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) and the Canadian Red Cross.

“They only brought in shirts and underwear. So what about pants and that, these people need [items].”

Like others, Bonnie didn’t have time to pack and had barely any items with her as she made a long 10-hour bus ride to Regina.

“There was nothing for me here, and it took me a week to change my clothes.”

Bonnie also questioned where the $500 Premier Scott Moe promised for each resident fleeing wildfires would go.

“These people are out here struggling because of the way they've been fooled by the government.”

With growing frustrations, Bonnie and her daughter have considered hitchhiking back to La Loche.

She described a mishap where evacuees who loaded onto a bus Sunday were told the evacuation order had been lifted.

“I was a bit confused. I was wondering what was going on, and then we all took our stuff [and] went home.”

Around 30 minutes later, she received a phone call saying there was a mistake.

“This became very chaotic, like everybody was rushing and confused.”

With uncertainty around the Park Fire, Vivane is worried for her property.

“If we lose our belongings, we have nothing.”

In an update on Tuesday, the SPSA said firefighters' efforts in the area are going well.

There is also forecasted rain and favourable winds this week, which will help out the situation.

As for when La Loche residents expect to return, no timeline has been given.