skwildfires2025

The Swift Current Fire Department has offered some assistance to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) to combat the widespread wildfires in the northern portion of the province.

Ryan Hunter, the fire chief for the Swift Current Fire Department, said two firefighter paramedics and a rehab unit were proposed to the SPSA, but the aid hadn't been accepted as of Wednesday afternoon.

The federal and provincial governments have announced they will match Red Cross donations to help those affected by wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Both provinces declared provincewide states of emergency last week to allow various levels of government to co-ordinate resources and support.

The federal government announced Wednesday that it would match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross that will support wildfire disaster relief and recovery efforts across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba continue to burn out of control as fierce winds and bone-dry conditions intensify the crisis, forcing evacuations and threatening northern communities.

As of Monday, more than 2.1 million hectares have burned nationwide—already surpassing the annual average for Canada, with summer still weeks away. The hardest-hit regions include northern Saskatchewan and northwestern Manitoba, where relentless northwest winds are pushing smoke, flames and embers across vast swaths of boreal forest and into populated areas.

As wildfires continue to rage across northern Saskatchewan, thousands have been forced from their homes. More than 9,000 residents have been evacuated, with a number of them arriving in the southeast, including right here in Weyburn.

Weyburn-Bengough MLA Mike Weger spoke with Discover Weyburn this morning about the response to the crisis and the important role local residents and businesses are playing.

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. 

Several southeast firefighters have been deployed to help battle the growing wildfires in northern Saskatchewan.

Carlyle Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Rob Klassan said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) put out a provincewide request for assistance as fires continue to burn near northern communities.

Four Gull Lake firefighters are driving right into the heart of the wildfires.

Stacy Schmidt, Kara Dyer, Kyle Rozel, and Tim Temoshawsky of the Gull Lake Fire & Rescue have volunteered to join the team combating the fires at Pelican Narrows.

"Definitely the dedication to being a volunteer," said Gull Lake Fire Chief Bentley Gibson. "They had to contact their employers to get the time, and one is self-employed. They were more than willing. It happened very quickly."

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says thousands have fled a wildfire in the province's north, almost doubling the number of people already forced from their homes.

Speaking on a Rawlco Radio show, Moe said about 7,000 people have evacuated the town of La Ronge, nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. An evacuation order was issued for the area Monday due to an encroaching wildfire.

Some buildings, including homes, have been lost in the northern part of La Ronge, the premier said.

Wildfires in northern Saskatchewan have forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, with some evacuees now taking refuge in communities across the province, including Weyburn. 

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Weyburn and surrounding areas due to wildfire smoke drifting in from northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. The smoke is contributing to reduced visibility and poor air quality, which can fluctuate significantly throughout the day and across short distances. Projections from firesmoke.ca show the conditions are expected to improve slightly overnight Saturday, before more smoke moves in midday on Sunday.