Wildfires Force Evacuations in Northern Saskatchewan Communities

Wildfires continue to impact northern Saskatchewan, prompting evacuations in nine communities. As of 11 a.m. on July 14, 2025, residents in Beauval, Jans Bay, the Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge, and the La Plonge reserve are under evacuation orders. Meanwhile, individuals categorized as Priority one and two have been evacuated from Canoe Lake, Cole Bay, Canoe Narrows, Montreal Lake, the Northern Village of Pinehouse, and Patuanak/English River.

On the evening of July 13, residents of Kinoosao had their evacuation order lifted and began returning home on July 14. The Northern Village of Ile-a-la Crosse declared a local state of emergency at 3 p.m. on July 14, urging Priority 1 and 2 residents to leave voluntarily. Community leaders indicated that while the town is not in immediate danger from the fire, smoke is posing significant health risks, especially for residents with pre-existing conditions.

In Prince Albert National Park, no evacuation is currently in place, but visitors are encouraged to remain vigilant and prepared to leave if necessary. Approximately 1,700 people have been evacuated, with 1,200 receiving support from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Others are being assisted by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, while some evacuees are staying with friends or family.

As of now, 55 wildfires are active across Saskatchewan. The situation includes four contained fires, 12 that are not contained, 21 under assessment, and 18 categorized as protecting values. In total, there have been 369 wildfires reported in 2025, marking a 34 percent increase over the five-year average of 260 during this same period. Initial fires were attributed to human activity, including arson and vehicle exhaust igniting dry fuels, while recent incidents have primarily resulted from lightning strikes.

The Muskeg Fire, which triggered evacuations in Beauval and Patuanak/English River, was ignited by lightning on June 27 and has grown to cover 150,000 hectares. An alert for wildfires was recently issued for Prince Albert National Park as the Buhl Fire is now within 40 kilometers of the Waskesiu townsite.

In response to the escalating fire situation, various municipal fire departments, including those from Meadow Lake, Humboldt, Leroy, Warman, Melfort, and the Lakeland Fire Department, have again sent personnel and equipment north to assist in firefighting efforts.

Evacuees are advised to register through the Sask Evac Web application and can call 1-855-559-5502 between 08:00 and 17:00 to assess their needs and receive additional assistance. Those needing help with registration may also contact the same number. Evacuees supported by the Canadian Red Cross should call 1-800-863-6582 for further support.

Due to the ongoing threat posed by wildfires, fire bans have been reinstated in several communities. The SPSA has prohibited all open fires, controlled burns, and fireworks in provincial forests from the southern border to the Churchill River, which includes provincial parks and recreation sites.