Reduced wildfire risk across Manitoba has helped pave the way for thousands of evacuees to return to their home communities after months in hotels and evacuation centres.

About 4,000 evacuees from Garden Hill and St. Theresa Point First Nations began returning home this week after being forced from their communities for the second time in July.

Alex McDougall, interim grand chief of Anisininew Okimawin, which represents four Island Lake First Nations, confirmed residents from the communities began flying home Tuesday. More flights are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“(It is) with great relief and anticipation,” McDougall said in a message to the Free Press .

Dialysis patients, including those from the still-evacuated neighbouring community of Wasagamack, will be the las

See Full Page