Creighton residents return after community devastated by wildfire

WATCH: Wildfire evacuation orders have been lifted for residents of Creighton and Denare Beach. What can those returning home expect to see?

It’s been a difficult month for residents forced to evacuate the town of Creighton due to wildfire.

As of Sunday, they were finally cleared to start returning home.

“Even though we’re safe, there is a tremendous amount of work that has got be done to bring us back to somewhat normality,” Creighton mayor Bruce Fidler told CTV News.

“There was growing impatience on people wanting to get back home and see how their homes are,” he said.

By Monday afternoon, several hundred people had returned to the community, while others plan to travel home over the next few days.

Residents in need of medical care are asked not to return to the community until essential medical services are back in operation.

• Get the latest news from Saskatchewan, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Fidler says infrastructure, including power and cell service, is operational and gasoline is also available.

The town is telling those returning to bring groceries and any necessary medications.

“We are hoping people phone us or stop by to let us know,” said Fidler. “But, you know, they have more important things to do. They’re checking on their home, checking on their property, checking on family.”

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) will be in Creighton June 24 to 26 distributing support cheques.

“Those are the $500 checks and any outstanding food security support checks,” said Steve Roberts from the SPSA.

“So, there’s a level of support they will be able to obtain once they return, which most of them have, and they can actually talk directly to our staff who were there in Creighton.”

The evacuation order for residents of Denare Beach was also lifted.

Highway 167 is only open to residents of Denare Beach and those who live along the highway. The roadblock will be removed June 25.

Across the border in Flin Flon, the evacuation order is still in effect until Wednesday.

The town of Creighton hopes staggering the removal of the evacuation orders will help manage traffic on the return home.