The SPSA is investigating 30 wildfires they believe were intentionally set. (ID 279664606 © Vitalii Petrushenko | Dreamstime.com)

By paNOW Staff

arson

Unprecedented wildfire season tied to intentional arson

Jun 11, 2025 | 4:27 PM

There have been 259 wildfires in Saskatchewan so far this year – well above the five-year average of 147. But that’s not the most startling number the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is dealing with.

Of all those wildfires, the SPSA said about 80 per cent are human-caused.

“Of those human caused fires, approximately 30 have been investigated as having been intentionally set,” said SPSA president and fire commissioner Marlo Pritchard. “They were individuals that intentionally utilized a means to start a fire in the forest or near P.A. or other communities.”

Pritchard said the cause and origin of all fires are investigated. While they know the majority of wildfires were started by humans so far this year, part of the investigation process is determining whether there was intent.

“We do know that some were unintentional… recreational ATVs, a campfire that got away on somebody…those are unintentional. But we also know that there are circumstances – about 30 of them to date – and there’s a number of other investigations that are still ongoing that were intentional.”

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The RCMP has already laid charges against two individuals for arson. The first incident happened May 30 when Waskesiu RCMP responded to a fire in a rural area off Highway 969. An 18-year-old woman from Montreal Lake Cree Nation is facing one count of arson under the Criminal Code.

The second case occurred around 1:45 a.m. on June 3, when Nipawin RCMP were called about a man reportedly lighting fires in a roadside ditch along Highway 55, near the turnoff to Snowden. When officers arrived, bystanders had already put out a small blaze. A 36-year-old man from Pelican Narrows was taken into custody and is also facing an arson charge.

On June 5, RCMP were called to the provincial firefighting base north of Prince Albert for reports of a suspicious fire believed to be a result of an arson attempt.

Most recently, Prince Albert Police are investigating a series of fires that were lit on Monday night at Little Red River Park.

Pritchard said they’re now reaching out to members of the public to help them identify any firebugs.

“We recently had four in the Prince Albert area in the last number of days, so again, we would ask members of the public to either call the 1-855 line, your local police service or Crimestoppers if you have any idea of who is attempting or starting those fires across our province,” Pritchard said.

As per The Wildfire Act, those in violation of a provincial fire ban order can face a fine of up to $500,000 per day (or part day) and/or imprisonment for up to three years.

They could also be liable for covering the costs of the resulting wildfire. If someone violates a municipal fire bylaw, the fine would be pursuant to the municipal bylaw. That’s in addition to any charges or fines that may be issued as a result of a criminal charge.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com