SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - Most of the northern Saskatchewan residents who fled their homes last week to escape the thick smoke from forest fires should be back in their communities by Tuesday.

About 700 of the more than 800 people removed from Deschambault Lake were the first to be allowed to return home Sunday, said a spokesperson with the provincial environment ministry.

Another 1,700 residents of Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay and Stony Rapids started moving home Sunday but it may be several days before everyone gets back to where they came from.

The evacuees had been housed at centres in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina since leaving their communities last week.

Heavy rainfall over the weekend helped to quell some of the blazes although some are still considered to be out of control.

About 40 people from Uranium City, on the north shore of Athabasca Lake in the far northwest corner of the province, will stay in Prince Albert due to continued health risks from smoke.

With files from the Canadian Press

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