Woman forced from home by Saskatchewan fires gives birth to baby evacuee

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Saskatchewan has a tiny new evacuee following the birth of a baby girl to a woman forced from her home by forest fires.

Cassandra Clarke, her husband, Edmund, and 10-year-old daughter Caitlyn have been staying with family since having to leave La Ronge more than two weeks ago.

Now they’ve welcomed Annie Flora Lee Clarke to their world.

The Clarkes had just finished watching a movie in Prince Albert on Tuesday night when Cassandra’s water broke.

Three hours later, she gave birth to Annie.

The Clarkes had to leave most of their baby supplies behind during the evacuation, but have been helped out by family and community members.

“We were prepared at home and then we left everything there,” Cassandra Clarke said. “We were staying in Birch Hills at my friend’s place for the first 12 days. The community got together and donated some stuff.

“My husband’s brother had a bunch of donations as well. We’ve been helped quite a bit already.”

But while there are enough supplies, the family is anxious to get home.

“It’s lonely,” Clarke said.

(CKOM)