There has been no power or communication service in Stanley Mission, Sucker River, Grandmother’s Bay, Missinipe, and all rural areas north of La Ronge since Monday, June 2 due to wildfires in the north. (Jim Tammy Cook-Searson/Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Thursday wildfire update

Provincial fire crews continue uphill battle with mother nature and look forward to weekend rain

Jun 5, 2025 | 2:13 PM

There is some encouraging news from the province’s latest wildfire update.

While eight of the 25 active fires are still listed as not contained, two of the biggest blazes have not increased much in size since Wednesday. The northern half of the province is also expected to receive some rain this weekend.

The largest fire is still the SHOE fire which is impacting Candle Lake, Piprell Lake, East Trout Lake and Lower Fishing Lakes. At 417,418 hectares, it covers an area more than 21 times the size of Saskatoon.

Crews continue to assess and protect values where the fire could potentially reach.They are also utilizing heavy equipment to establish control lines on the west flank to prepare for indirect attack and planned ignitions.

The Pisew fire near La Ronge is still over 141,000 hectares but there are no reports of any further structure damage since Tuesday.

Playoff Ready

Beavers beat Standard Hill, prepare for re-match to end regular season

7m ago

diversity

Wildfire devastation will lead to a rebirth of the boreal forest

1h ago

Riderville

Riders player depth facing challenges against BC

1h ago

Crews are being placed at Hall Lake, Sucker River, Waden Bay, Bell’s Bay and in La Ronge and area for community protection. Dozers are constructing lines around spot fires near Hall Lake and building fire breaks in and around the town of La Ronge.

Buckland Fire Tanker 57 is in La Ronge assisting with structure and infrastructure protection. (Facebook/ Buckland Fire and Rescue)

Another big fire is the one at Denare Beach (130,822 hectares) which in the past week has caused substantial losses. Air and ground crews are busy today working on the perimeter at Creighton. During the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) daily media briefing Thursday, vice president of operations Steve Roberts said, crews managed to keep the Club fire from entering the town of Creighton on the western side.

While helicopter and ground crews work hot spots further away from the community, Prince Albert Grand Council Fire Department is working to put out hot spots in Denare Beach.

In the last 24 hours, the wildfire north of Pelican Narrows has grown over 10,000 hectares to 30,428. Dozers are still putting up guards around the community and protection setups will continue within the Hamlet of Jan Lake.

The Ditch 2 fire north of Weyakwin is now listed at 90,000 hectares, which is a big jump from 70,000 on Wednesday. Late last night, the fire was creeping towards the community of Molanosa but fire crews were able to stop it and saved all the local structures according to local leaders.

Crews will continue constructing dozer guard from Ramsey Bay Road to Hwy 2 in preparation for a burn operation to protect the community of Ramsey Bay. Crews will also conduct full extinguishment of the Molanosa community as well as continue constructing dozer guards within Timber Bay. Sprinklers will be distributed to required sites for value protection.

The Jaysmith fire (northeast of Missinipe) is at 136,876. Crews are looking to find an area to do backburns from east of Brabant on the Highway 102 to NNE along Highway 102 North of Brabant and close the Highway 102 both ends south and north.

So far this year, there have been 244 wildfires compared to the five year average of 138.

In total, 267 values like cabins or trailers have been impacted by wildfires in Saskatchewan, but the SPSA believes that number is likely closer to 400.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social