Health, livelihoods at risk because of wildfires, say chiefs of two Indigenous communities
CBC
Wildfires are having a devastating effect on the health, livelihoods and ancestral lands of two northern First Nations, their chiefs say.
The Red Earth and Shoal Lake Cree Nations, located about 350 km northeast of Saskatoon, have evacuated residents because of smoke coming from wildfires in the Crackling River and Pasqua Hills areas.
The Bell Fire, which has been burning since the summer, is also close by and has increased in size to cover 46,000 hectares.
Shoal Lake Chief Marcel Head said smoke is the biggest concern right now.
"Most of our people are not in great health and considering the poor housing conditions, you know, smoke tends to seep in," said Head, adding almost 600 residents of Shoal Lake have been evacuated to Prince Albert.
"If they are inhaling this smoke into their bodies ... that poses a danger to their health."
Chief Head and Red Earth Chief Fabian Head both want the province to bring in more heavy equipment and other resources to fight the fires.