EVACUATION ORDER LIFTED FOR CUMBERLAND HOUSE

The Evacuation Order for Cumberland House was officially lifted effective 10:00 a.m. today. Cumberland House Mayor Dale McAuley and Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Walter Sewap made the decision.

Emergency Social Services staff have begun the process of arranging transport for those evacuees still in Prince Albert. Arrangements have been made for buses to leave SIAST Woodland Campus at 2:00 p.m. Evacuees requiring transport back to Cumberland House are asked to call (306) 953-7196 as soon as possible. Buses are expected to begin going back later this afternoon.

Water levels in Cumberland House peaked at 267.71 metres (above sea level) on the night of Saturday, July 9th. As of Tuesday morning, water levels had declined by two centimetres and are expected to continue slowly declining over the coming week and more rapidly after that. Dikes built to protect low-lying parts of the community have been holding.

Normally, evacuations of northern communities due to fire last four to five days. The Cumberland House evacuation has lasted 20 days.

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For More Information, Contact:

Malcolm French Government of Saskatchewan Prince Albert Cell: (306) 535-3836	Mayor Dale McAuley Cumberland House Cell: (306) 425-7150
Chief Walter Sewap Cumberland House Cree Nation Cell: (306) 981-3880