Evacuation notices have been lifted for the communities of Burstall, Leader, Mendham, and the RM of Deerforks. Although all are still without power as of 10:30 a.m., residents are free to return to their homes as wildfires no longer pose an imminent risk to the region.
Kindersley served as a host community to fire evacuees from surrounding communities last night, October 17, and the Town’s emergency response team was put into action to assist evacuees and to plan a course of action if circumstances worsened. This involved the opening of an evacuation intake centre and the Emergency Operations Centre as part of the Town of Kindersley’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) Plan. Approximately 40 people requiring immediate assistance checked into the evacuation centre established at the Elks Hall while an estimated 200-225 evacuees sought accommodation. Over 40 hotel rooms were also made available to evacuees through the Town.
By 9:15 pm Wednesday night, fire departments throughout the region confirmed that all fires had been contained and were under control, or had already been extinguished. The Kindersley Fire Department, which had been on standby to offer mutual aid, was released soon after.
The evacuation centre at the Elks Hall was closed at 11:00 pm once all remaining evacuees had been accommodated. A free breakfast was hosted this morning at the Clearview Community Church for evacuees, many of whom then departed for their homes.
The Town of Kindersley wishes to extend thanks to Saskatchewan’s Emergency Management and Fire Safety Team and members, the RCMP for their interaction with Kindersley’s EMO team, and to the Kindersley Fire Department and surrounding fire departments involved in fighting the fires and protecting their communities. Thank you to our emergency measures team for its quick and decisive action. In addition, thank you to all who volunteered at the evacuation centre and assisted in any part of the response efforts, including local churches, hotels, and concerned citizens who offered their homes as a place of refuge if needed.
The Town of Kindersley makes every effort to provide up to date and timely information on emergencies affecting Kindersley and surrounding region. This is done through the Kindersley website, the Town of Kindersley’s Facebook and Twitter feeds, and in partnership with local media. Please subscribe to these sources for future emergency information: