As wildfires continue to force evacuations in northern Saskatchewan, the City of Weyburn has become a temporary refuge for approximately 80 evacuees from the Creighton and Flin Flon areas. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is overseeing the emergency response, while Weyburn’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is supporting local efforts to accommodate and care for those displaced.
The scale of the wildfires continues to grow. As of Wednesday morning, there are 23 active wildfires in Saskatchewan, prompting the evacuation of 18 communities. Nearly 890,000 hectares have already burned, and more than 9,000 people have been evacuated so far, with estimates suggesting that as many as 15,000 could be displaced in the days ahead.
While not directly responsible for coordinating the evacuation, the City of Weyburn is playing a key supporting role. Local recreational amenities and public services have been made available, and city staff are helping connect evacuees with resources, community activities, and information that can offer comfort during their temporary relocation.
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations, Eric Schmalz, is urging all residents to approach the situation with compassion.
“I think the best thing that we can all do as a province is show patience,” he said. “People that are coming to your communities in the south, across central Saskatchewan as well, show patience to the people that are coming from very stressful situations; basically a fire chasing them out of their homes.”
Schmalz also noted that many First Nations and Métis communities across the province are opening their spaces to provide refuge for evacuees.
In addition to patience and kindness, residents looking to help are encouraged to contribute financially to trusted organizations, such as the Canadian Red Cross, which is working closely with the SPSA to meet the immediate needs of evacuees. The City of Weyburn is not accepting donation drop-offs at this time.
For those who want to contribute in other ways, such as volunteering services, equipment, or logistical support, SPSA President Marlo Pritchard explained that the agency is collecting offers of assistance for future coordination.
“We have been collecting information for individuals that do wish to volunteer, whether it's equipment or contractors or anybody that wants to help. And all they have to do is call the 1-855 number (1-855-559-5502) that the Premier has been talking about,” Pritchard said. “You have to realize that there is a logistical challenge… so at this point in time, we’re just collecting that information.”
Weyburn officials are asking residents to be respectful of evacuees’ privacy and to rely on official sources for updates, avoiding the spread of misinformation. The number of evacuees in the community may fluctuate as wildfire conditions evolve, and the City will continue to coordinate closely with SPSA to ensure local support remains responsive and compassionate.