A glimpse of the smoke from the wildfires near Beauval. (Warman Fire and Rescue)

By Susan McNeil

Wildfire 2025

Nine northern communities under evacuation

Jul 14, 2025 | 4:32 PM

Despite cooler temperatures and periods of rain, wildfires continue to plague northern Saskatchewan communities with nine currently under some form of evacuation.

As of 11 a.m. on July 14, Beauval, Jans Bay, the Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge and the La Plonge reserve are all under evacuation orders.

Priority one and two individuals have been evacuated from Canoe Lake/Cole Bay/Canoe Narrows, Montreal Lake, the Northern Village of Pinehouse and Patuanak/English River.

As of the night of July 13, residents of Kinoosao had its evacuation order lifted and are repatriating July 14.

According to its social media page, the Northern Village of Ile-a-la Crosse declared a local state of emergency at 3 p.m. on July 14, asking Priority 1 and 2 people to voluntarily leave the community.

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Community leaders said the town itself is not in immediate danger from fire but smoke is becoming a serious issue for residents, especially those with health conditions.

People in Prince Albert National Park are not evacuated, but are being asked to keep the situation in mind and be ready to leave quickly.

Right now, about 1,700 people have been evacuated with 1,200 of them supported by the SPSA. Others are being helped by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and some are staying with friends or family.

At the moment, 55 wildfires are burning in the province. Four are contained, 12 are not contained, 21 are under ongoing assessment and the remaining 18 are categorized as protecting values.

In 2025, there have been 369 wildfires, a 34 per cent increase over the five-year average of 260 at the same time of year.

Some initial wildfires were attributed to human activity, including several arsons and some caused by vehicle exhaust igniting dry fuels. More recently they have been caused by lightning.

The Muskeg Fire, which caused the evacuation of Beauval and Patuanak/English River, was caused by lightning and started on June 27. The size of the fire has reached 150,000 hectares.

Late yesterday, a wildfire alert was issued for Prince Albert National Park as the Buhl Fire is within 40 kilometres from the townsite of Waskesiu.

As was the case earlier this year when municipal fire departments send trucks and members trained in wildfire suppression north, some departments have done so again as fire encroached into Beauval.

Meadow Lake, Humboldt, Leroy, Warman, Melfort and the Lakeland Fire Department have all lent a hand.

All evacuees should register through the Sask Evac Web application and then call 1-855-559-5502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to have their needs assessed and for additional assistance. Individuals who need help registering through the application can call the 855 Line for assistance.

Evacuees supported by the Canadian Red Cross should call 1-800-863-6582.

Fire bans are being re-instated in some communities and the SPSA has put a ban on any open fires, controlled burns or fireworks in the provincial forest, starting at the southern border and going up to the Churchill River.

This includes provincial parks, provincial recreation sites and the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District within the boundary.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social