Residents repatriating to northern Saskatchewan will see scenes like this along the way. (Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

Friday wildfire update

Sask. wildfire fight shifts from ‘defensive to offensive’: SPSA

Jun 13, 2025 | 3:24 PM

There are currently 20 active wildfires burning in the province; 6 of them are not contained.

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency president and fire commissioner Marlo Pritchard confirmed 400 values have been burnt in wildfires and activities to verify property damage will continue.

“And we know that number will increase in the coming days,” he said.

On a positive note, Pritchard said firefighters are expecting another break in the weather.

“So, over the last number of days, we’ve shifted from a defensive approach to an offensive approach to taking on these wildfires. We’ve also hired approximately 140 Type 3 firefighters to assist our Type 1 and Type 2s, and we will be bringing on more in the coming weeks as they’re identified to help us solidify the firelines and do some mopping up and really stabilize the position moving forward.”

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Right now, the focus is on hotspots, trying to reduce the risk of flareups and continuing to monitor perimeters of all fires.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, the province will be lifting the ATV and UTV ban; however, the provincial fire ban does remain in place. The SPSA said the fire ban would be reviewed again Monday, if there is substantial precipitation over the weekend.

On Friday morning, the Resort Village of Candle Lake announced the local emergency declaration has been lifted and so has the voluntary evacuation advisory.

“Recent fire-behaviour assessments, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) fire data, and forecasted weather conditions confirm a marked reduced likelihood of wildfire encroaching upon the Resort Village, making the Shoe Fire no longer an immediate threat.”

From left: Premier Scott Moe, Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, Eric Schmalz and SPSA President and Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard speak to the media Friday in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

Other wildfires of note

Crews will continue hotpot work along the northeast flank of the Jaysmith fire, northeast of Missinipe.

The Pisew fire, west of La Ronge will be getting an influx of Type 3 crews today. The plan is to continue direct attack and support crew efforts with bucketing. The fire did not grow overnight beyond the 181,765 hectares it has charred so far.

Crews continue to work hot spots south of Denare Beach, HWY 106, HWY 167 and around the community of Creighton. The Wolf fire is 135,490 hectares in size. Damage assessment is being done both inside and outside the community of Denare Beach. The area saw most of the devastation caused by wildfires, so leadership of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) announced a Recovery Committee made up of PBCN leadership and senior management has been established to lead the work in developing a plan to support both immediate and long-term needs of residents.

Structure protection units are being demobilized at Jan Lake, while crews continue to hotspot the south side of the Pelican2 fire.

The Ditch02 fire, north of Weyakwin is 174,000 hectares. It appeared to have the most activity of all the wildfires of note on Friday, with flareups reported along Hwy 2 to Montreal Lake and north of Molanosa.

While most evacuees have been allowed to return home, five communities remain under evacuation orders in Saskatchewan including Creighton, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, Whelan Bay as well as the Priority 1 and Priority 2 residents of Cumberland house – primarily individuals who are at higher risk including those with health issues, elderly, or families with small children.

Any evacuee over the age of 18 who was displaced from their home will receive $500 from the province. Minister of Government Relations and Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz said there have been some challenges for local leadership in dispersing the funds effectively, but the SPSA is working with them directly to help reduce the burden on administration and get the funds to evacuees sooner rather than later.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com