The Muskeg Fire near Beauval is now 95,000 hectares in size. (Facebook/Warman Fire Rescue)

By Derek Cornet

emergency response

No homes lost after wildfire encircles Beauval; 57 active fires burning in Sask.

Jul 11, 2025 | 4:05 PM

It was a close call for Beauval on Thursday evening as a wildfire came right up to the edge of the village and encircled it.

During a media briefing on Friday, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts explained the Muskeg Fire, which is now 95,000 hectares, suddenly shifted towards Beauval due to a change in wind direction. He noted fire crews responded quickly and were able to protect all structures aside from a shed located at the baseball diamonds.

“As the fire approached the town, we worked on protecting the townsite itself and that involved putting out a number of spots fire that came from embers that were carried by the fire,” Roberts said.

“[They did] excellent work considering that fire has completely gone around the town now and the crews are continuing to mop that up. Highway 918 is still passable, so there are no restrictions on that highway should we need to use it for emergency services or to support the community of Patuanak. Because of the active fire, there was a full evacuation of Beauval yesterday afternoon of the remaining people who are not essential.”

In an effort to protect Beauval, the SPSA has helicopters and air tankers deployed in the area. Heavy machinery has also been used to create firebreaks, and a sprinkler system has been installed along the outskirts of the community.

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“Efforts are ongoing. We still have those resources in the community,” Roberts remarked.

“We also have a fire of interest in the cluster called the Trail Fire and that’s the fire that is causing some concern to Jans Bay, so we have active efforts on both of those fires at this time and we believe that we’ll continue to need efforts over the next numbers of days as this hot weather pattern continues.”

Fire departments from multiple municipalities are responding to the fire threat in Beauval. (Facebook/Davidson Volunteer Fire Department)

Wildfire came dangerously close to homes in Beauval. (Facebook/Warman Fire Rescue)

In total, 560 residents of Beauval have registered with the SPSA as evacuees. They have been sent to Saskatoon and Moose Jaw if they’re not being supported by family or friends.

Northern Transitional Dog Rescue has also been responding to the emergency in Beauval. On Thursday, volunteers collected 38 pets, mostly dogs, from the community with more expected to be rescued on Friday. They are being assisted by the Meadow Lake and District Humane Society, Saskatoon SPCA and the Pause4change Rescue Foundation.

“We need fosters to be able to take in these dogs temporarily until their owners can come back for them,” said volunteer Rachel Fiddler. “We need dog crates, we need fuel, dog food, dog beds, collars, leashes and that’s immediate.”

As of July 11, there are 57 active fires burning in Saskatchewan of which 14 are not contained. There have been 364 fires so far this year, which is well above the five-year average of 232. Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Tim McLeod said the government’s thoughts and concern are with the evacuees from the communities affected by the wildfires.

“I also want to express my profound gratitude to the SPSA frontline staff, to the many municipal fire departments and volunteer fire departments, and the countless emergency personnel who are working around the clock to protect lives, homes and livelihoods,” he said.

“There has been an incredible number of resources including emergency personnel, air assets, heavy equipment and value protection assets used to protect the community of Beauval. The bravery and dedication of this work deserves our respect and our support.”

Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan NDP continues to accuse the Sask. Party of ignoring the needs of northerners affected by wildfires. Cumberland MLA Jordan McPhail said the province has been shorthanded in their response and they need to be held accountable.

He called out evacuees’ frustration using the Saskatchewan Evacuation App and the request for bids to develop a mobile app that was cancelled in March.

“It’s almost like the Sask. Party knew that this app was going to fail people. They had a request for a bid put forward, which talked about their service delivery vehicle being outdated, being antiquated, not being sufficient to provide services and they canceled it,” McPhail said.

McPhail also accused the province of not listening to frontline leadership, noting they have failed to bring in additional resources for those on the frontlines, as well as evacuees.

On Friday afternoon, NDP Athabasca MLA Leroy Laliberte issued a statement about the fires, encouraging residents to observe all emergency alerts. He said people of the north cannot endure the same wildfire situation that happened in May and June.

“My message to the Premier is this – do your job and immediately provide the resources necessary to protect homes, small businesses and entire communities. People are hurting, fearing the worst and need to know that Scott Moe has their backs.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com