Fire crews are seen working in Air Ronge during the evacuation in June. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

preparedness

Public meeting called after former councillor raises wildfire concerns

Jul 11, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Air Ronge council is inviting residents to a community meeting next month to share thoughts, ideas, and solutions regarding wildfire preparedness.

“We acknowledge the challenges and trauma caused by the 2025 wildfires and evacuation, and our council seeks to proactively plan and prepare,” Mayor Julie Baschuk wrote on social media.

“Please participate in our conversation and future planning discussions. This will be an in-person meeting, however, written submissions are welcome.”

The meeting comes after council received a letter from Air Ronge resident and former councillor Kristy McDougall. She believes community members can play a larger role in the prevention and mitigation efforts within the tri-communities if given the opportunity to do so.

McDougall wrote that now would be an ideal time to develop a community action plan, and she would like to see the village find funding to establish and maintain an inventory of sprinklers and pumps that could be used in the area when the environment is dry.

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“Over the past 10 years, we have seen significant work done in the region to lower our wildfire risk,” she noted.

“The FireSmart mitigation strategies can be seen in many different areas. I believe our communities can do more. Developing a strategic plan for mitigation and community response efforts would be a great start. Proactive measures, advocacy and lobbying, building capacity, these are all things that can be done to protect our community and to bring our residents together. I believe there is tremendous value in engaging our community members directly, empowering them to be part of the prevention and solution.”

McDougall would also like to see the tri-communities lobby the provincial government to maintain the firebreaks in the area, as well as ask the regional fire board to consider a risk assessment of the industrial parks in La Ronge and Air Ronge.

“We have heard for 26 years that if the industrial park [on the north end] goes, it will take out a significant portion of our communities, including critical infrastructure like schools, daycare, fire hall and the health centre,” she added.

“A risk assessment could help determine if regional fire infrastructure is adequate in that area. Are businesses prepared, and do they have the necessary equipment of their own to deploy in case of immediate wildfire?”

The community meeting will be held Aug. 14 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the village office. McDougall’s letter to council can be found online here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com