There’s been a surge in airpower and ground crews at work since the tri-communities were evacuated a week ago. (Facebook/La Ronge Regional Fire Department)

By Derek Cornet

fire crews

Type 3 firefighters deployed to La Ronge, mayor optimistic about current wildfire situation

Jun 9, 2025 | 3:28 PM

Fifty Type 3 firefighters are on their way to La Ronge this afternoon to assist with wildfire containment efforts.

Prince Albert Grand Council made a call out for the firefighters last week, and according to its Director of Forestry and Search and Rescue Pierce Pellerin, the recruitment was very successful. He explained there was enough interest in filling those positions with additional firefighters waiting for a second call.

“As soon as we were informed that we were able to get some Type 3 firefighters on the line, we had a huge outpour of community members wanting to get out there and help their communities,” Pellerin said.

“The whole Type 3 program is extremely valuable to our communities. A lot of these people who are on the Type 3 crews are community members themselves and they want to be able to help out their homes, help out their communities and help out their members.”

Type 3 firefighters differ from Type 1 and 2s as they are not trained in initial attack operations. Instead, they serve in a supportive role in mop up situations, base support and jobs around the community if there’s value protections.

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Since PAGC began training programs this season, they have trained 120 people as Type 3 firefighters. The 50 who were recruited in recent days will be leaving Prince Albert this afternoon once they are outfitted with person protective equipment.

“It’s important to mention a lot of these people have been firefighting their whole life,” Pellerin remarked.

“Just because they have the Type 3 label, they are very experienced and they grew up fighting fire and they grew up helping their communities, so it is important to us to be able to help them get home and help their communities and do what they want to do to protect their homes too.”

In a wildfire update on Monday, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts said they continue to assess opportunities to put Type 3 firefighters on the fire line. As more of the line becomes stable, more Type 3 firefighters will be deployed.

“I know that at this point they’re also mobilizing Type 3 firefighters from the Meadow Lake Tribal Council area in an effort that if we cannot receive extra, they may be able to provide them as well,” he stated.

La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski, who is the only member of town council to remain in the community, noted he is optimistic the province has a good defence plan in place. He added there’s been more airpower and ground crews at work since the tri-communities were evacuated a week ago.

“They are really focusing on trying to get the community safe as soon as they can,” he said.

“We’re at a point now where we had the initial fire attack. We’ve had a little bit of rain and a chance to kind of slow things down. Now, to get those resources and really put it to rest is really encouraging and certainly going to speed up the time that we are able to safely bring our residents back.”

The Ditch 02 fire continues being a concern, but Hordyski explained the wind direction on Monday is in their favour. There could be an opportunity to do a back burn soon to reduce the wildfire risk south of the community.

If any evacuees are still having issues registering for assistance with the SPSA, Hordyski urges them to reach out the Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk. She’s currently compiling a list of residents experiencing issues in doing so and that list is being shared with top management with the SPSA.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com