Melfort, Tisdale, and Lake Lenore Lions members assisting 23 evacuees from Flin Flon at the Canalta Hotel in Melfort. (Submitted/Beryl Bauer)

By Cam Lee

Northeast wildfire assistance

Wildfire evacuees staying in northeast Sask. receive help from Lions clubs

Jun 11, 2025 | 10:32 AM

Evacuees from the northern wildfires that have been staying in the northeast have received some assistance thanks to the Lions Club.

The 52 Lions clubs in District 5SKN, encompassing northern and central Saskatchewan, received a US$15,000 emergency grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation in Chicago.

Since they received that money June 5, the clubs have been identifying and reacting to evacuee needs in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, but also in other areas like Melfort, Tisdale, Hudson Bay, and Nipawin.

Melfort and Tisdale Lions members dropping off clothes at the Marguerite Riel Centre. (submitted photo/Beryl Bauer)

“In these places thousands of dollars have gone towards purchasing toiletries, personal hygiene products, diapers, wipes, formula, milk, etc. for infants, food, water, First Aid supplies, bedding, clothing including shoes, eating utensils and much more,” a Lions news release stated.

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The items were delivered where needed, as identified by groups like the Saskatchewan Public Service Agency (SPSA), the Red Cross, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), and others.

Evacuees have come from areas like La Ronge, Pelican Narrows, Denare Beach, Creighton, Weyakwin, and Flin Flon.

“District 5SKS, which has over 70 Lions Clubs in southern Saskatchewan, is also working on assisting by holding fundraising events and gathering donations of cash and needed items from clubs and people in their District,” the release stated.

Lions clubs in Saskatchewan have also donated over $15,000 toward helping evacuees to date.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com