While the wildfire threatening Onion Lake has calmed down enough that residents can return home, it is still of concern. (Sarah Whitefish/Facebook)

By Susan McNeil

Wildfire season 2025

Wildfires near Onion, Lower Fishing Lakes of concern for SPSA

May 9, 2025 | 2:28 PM

What started out as slightly slower than previous wildfire seasons has quickly changed thanks to hot, dry weather and human activity.

In the first online media update of the season, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said while wildfires often change rapidly, several blazes across the north central belt of Saskatchewan are causing some extra concern until winds diminish or rains fall.

“Fortunately, the one just northeast of Prince Albert, the Garden River fire is contained at this time, so that kind of relieves a little bit of pressure on us, but the one to the west, towards Onion Lake, that fire is considered a priority just due to the population and the size of it currently,” said Byron Chartrand, executive director of land operations.

So far, that fire has charred around 1,200 hectares. Residents along Harlan Road were evacuated after Onion Lake leadership declared a state of emergency. They were allowed home yesterday.

Another wildfire, near Lower Fishing Lake has led to some people choosing to leave, including the owners and guests of the Rainbow Lodge, west of the Narrow Hills Provincial Park.

Restrictions

Majority of Prince Albert National Park closed off due to wildfire risk

2h ago

Faizan Dar

North Battleford boxer has eyes set on national gold

3h ago

DRUG ALERT

Province issues warning after RCMP seize fentanyl-laced meth in Meadow Lake

21h ago

“Just wanted to let all of our seasonal and all customers know we were officially evacuated about an hour ago. You cannot go to Piprell Lake. The 913 to 106 is closed. The 913 and 912 corner is closed,” said the Lodge on their social media page yesterday.

Heavy wildfire smoke billowed across the skies on May 8 near Piprell Lake in northern Saskatchewan. (Rainbow Lodge/Facebook)

That area is getting smoke from the Shoe and Camp wildfires, both of which were human caused and are not contained.

“Those fires are growing quite rapidly,” said Chartrand.

The Camp fire is roughly 17,000 hectares in size, while the Shoe fire is sitting around 10,000 hectares.

Also of concern is the Strike Fire near the Meadow Lake Provincial Park and campground, which like most of north and central Saskatchewan, is under a fire ban.

“We really want to get a handle on these fires because, you know, people are wanting to get out and about and enjoy our beautiful landscape. But those are just a few of the many that we’ve got going on right now,” he said.

People are still being cautioned that the current high drought index, lack of rain combined with some high temperatures and wind have created a situation that can change rapidly.

This fire began in the RM of Garden River on May 8, but is now contained. The photo was submitted by a reader to the ‘Wildfire’ news section of this site. (Submitted photo: Hanna)

Yesterday, the province joined multiple municipalities and added a fire ban that covers the north administrative district from the southern boundary up to the Churchill River.

Of the 24 active wildfires in the province right now, 12 have been contained, nine are not and three are categorized as ongoing assessment. The SPSA has dealt with 136 wildfires so far, which is 20 more than the same time last year and more than double the five-year average of 65.

All were caused by humans, but not all were malicious.

Chartrand said the SPSA would like people to take precautions while driving on dry grass as that is a common source of fires, especially in the spring before ‘green-up’. People should always take care to thoroughly put out any campfires they may have started or have seen abandoned as well.

Click on the ‘Wildfire’ link in the menu bar on this site for the current wildfire situation, active fire bans, SPSA emergency response maps and the latest wildfire news from the area.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social