When forest fires forced people from their homes in Saskatchewan a few years ago, the Ontario Red Cross was quick to offer assistance and send people here to help in any way possible.

That favour is now being returned.

With residents of the Pikangikum First Nation evacuated from their homes, the operations manager for the Saskatchewan Red Cross has headed to northern Ontario to offer her assistance.

Georgiana Schuring left for Kapuskasing, Ontario today to help with the assistance being provided by the Red Cross as she is being joined by others.

Schuring says the role the Red Cross is playing is clear.

“We will be working alongside local Red Cross officials making sure they have appropriate food and proper shelter.” Schuring said. “Our goal is to make those affected as comfortable as can be in what obviously an unsettling situation.”

Schuring will be based in Kapuskasing, Ontario which is where many who have been told to leave their homes have been sent.  She has no idea how long she will be there.