A before and after view of the wildifre that tore through James Smith Cree Nation this past weekend. (Submitted photo/Becky Head)

By Teena Monteleone

Widlfire update

‘We need a break’: James Smith Cree Nation Chief urges caution following destructive wildfire

May 5, 2025 | 12:30 PM

The fire situation is now considered under control on James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN), but there are lingering effects for several community members who lost their homes in the weekend blaze.

“There are just a few little hotspots here and there, and we have our fire suppression crew going around to ensure that there’s no more flare ups and all the hotspots are being taken care of and put out,” said JSCN Chief Kirby Constant.

Constant estimated the fire charred about 10 square miles on the First Nation about 60 kilometres east of Prince Albert.

“It destroyed three homes. Some other homes were saved, luckily. There was also our church – it was almost engulfed, but our fire suppression crew happened to save that. We lost our bell…our church bell tower was burnt so we need to replace that.”

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Firefighting crews from James Smith, the Melfort Fire Department, Garden River, Muskoday, Kinistino and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency helped fight the blaze which is believed to be human-caused.

The flames were threatening the backyard of Bertha Head whose nephew called 9-1-1. She was frustrated with the response he received.

“He was told we [JSCN] weren’t in their jurisdiction,” said Head, adding her nephew tried to do his best to prevent the fire from spreading before local crews arrived.

Head and her family offered up their home as a command post for the firefighters and offered them food, water and even chargers for their cellphones. She wanted to show her children and grandchildren that they ‘can’t quit’ and to ‘love mankind no matter who they are.’

Bertha Head offered her home as a command post for firefighters battling the blaze on James Smith Cree Nation. (Submitted photo/Becky Head)

Head, who recently lost her mother, said there has been many deaths in the community lately, whether that be through cancer or other circumstances like addictions.

“Our first instinct was ‘not again.’ After everything that has happened in my community, this is like, I don’t know…it’s so hard to grasp everything right now,” Head said.

Jame Smith Cree Nation is where 11 people were killed and 17 others were injured in a mass stabbing just over two years ago.

“We definitely need a break. Not only that, we’re still having to deal with our internal issues such as the drugs and alcohol. So, those are still playing a part in our community big time as well. So, I’m hopeful I can sit down with our directors and we can get a path moving forward so we can set out a clear path so everybody can have a job to do,” said Chief Constant.

Two horses look to escape the scorched earth on James Smith Cree Nation. (Submitted photo/Becky Head)

For now, the priority is the families who were displaced by the fire. Chief Constant said he’s holding a meeting today to determine how to get their homes rebuilt. In the meantime, donations for the families are being solicited on the Chief’s official Facebook page.

Constant reminded the community, they aren’t out of the woods just yet. He said winds, hot temperatures and a lack of moisture in the air are proving that conditions are right for anything to happen.

“So, I issued a safety warning yesterday to our members to be diligent about open sources of flames and stuff like that, so hopefully people can take that into account,” Chief Constant said.

He urged everyone to be extremely cautious and mindful about fire hazards including barbecues, cigarettes and lighters, or any activity that creates heat or sparks.

To support JSCN members, the Youth Hall has been opened as a space to gather and eat. Mental health workers are also being made available.

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Teena.Monteleone@pattisonmedia.com