CAF Commemorates 10 Years of Operation Lentus with Tree Planting

A symbolic gathering took place on Saturday morning at Prince Albert City Hall to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Operation Lentus 15-02. The event featured the planting of an Ohio Buckeye tree, which serves as a tribute to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for their critical role during the devastating wildfires in Northern Saskatchewan in 2015.

The ceremony began with a prayer and a smudging ritual for attendees and the newly planted tree. Local and provincial dignitaries were present, including Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Alana Ross, who reflected on the resilience demonstrated during the crisis. “It was a time that tested our strength, our resilience, and our commitment to one another,” she stated, emphasizing the overwhelming scale of the 2015 wildfires.

That wildfire season marked one of the worst in Saskatchewan’s history, with over 700 fires burning nearly 1.8 million hectares of land. The crisis forced the evacuation of more than 50 northern communities and approximately 13,000 people, representing the largest evacuation in the province’s history. In response, Operation Lentus 15-02 was initiated, deploying around 850 CAF members to assist local firefighting teams. Their efforts included conducting fire line operations and providing logistical support to vulnerable communities, ultimately resulting in no loss of life.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Graver, Commanding Officer of the North Saskatchewan Regiment, attended the event and shared his experiences from the operation. “This operation is something that I’m very proud of,” he remarked, recalling his efforts to motivate troops to volunteer for the deployment. He defined the operation as a “no-fail task,” highlighting its domestic nature and the responsibility to protect Canadians.

Graver was in charge of a domestic response company consisting of 100 soldiers from Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, all part of the 38 Canadian Brigade Group, Canada’s largest brigade group. He described the two weeks spent around La Ronge, where soldiers engaged in wildfire fighting, information gathering, and community support. “To this day, I still run into people from La Ronge, and they’re still very thankful for the military assistance provided in that operation,” he added.

As wildfires have become more frequent in Canada, Graver noted that military involvement in firefighting efforts is likely to increase. Just last summer, around 400 soldiers were deployed to Northern Saskatchewan to address over 480 wildfires. As of September 3, 2025, wildfires have scorched more than three million hectares of land.

Graver emphasized the importance of these deployments, stating, “We, in the Canadian Armed Forces, trained for these types of deployments, both foreign and domestic. We need to always protect our homeland, our borders, and our people above all else.” His remarks underline the ongoing commitment of the CAF to respond to emergencies and support communities in crisis.

The tree planting ceremony at Prince Albert City Hall not only honored the past efforts of the CAF but also served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by wildfires in Canada.