Evacuees from Montreal Lake Cree Nation line up for lunch in North Battleford on July 15, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

WILDFIRE UPADTES

Firefighters from Australia, Mexico assist with merging fires in northern Sask.

Jul 15, 2025 | 4:29 PM

Saskatchewan is getting some additional help from overseas to help tackle uncontrolled wildfires burning in the north.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said 40 firefighters from Australia have arrived to assist with suppression efforts, and another 40 from Mexico are expected to join later this week. This is in addition to the help that arrived last week from Quebec with two CL-415 aircraft and 100 wildfire personnel.

“Saskatchewan is grateful to everyone who has helped with the unprecedented wildfire season,” SPSA Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts said in the latest update. “Thank you to everyone local and abroad for the immense support in the air and on the ground.”

Over the past several months, Saskatchewan has received aircraft and wildfire crews from across Canada, including Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Alberta and the Yukon. There’s been help from the United States as well from Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, South Dakota and the United States Forest Service.

As of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, there are 50 active wildfires burning in Saskatchewan. Of those, four are contained, 12 are not contained, 18 are under assessment and 16 are listed as protecting values.

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The Muskeg fire and Dore fire, burning north of La Plonge Indian Reserve and Beauval, have now merged together and charred more than 225,000 hectares. The SPSA said additional fire departments have been added to Pinehouse and Patuanak along with water tenders and value protection units.

The thick smoke from all the fires has forced some communities, including Montreal Lake Cree Nation, to evacuate elders, young children and people with health conditions. About 1,200 evacuees are being supported by the province right now. Some evacuees were brought to North Battleford by bus on Sunday, where they’re staying in hotels and receiving meals, gas cards and health care.

Brett Moostoos, who came to North Battleford with his family from Montreal Lake, said the community has been helpful during a stressful time.

“Everybody has been good and we’re doing alright and my kids are doing OK and everything.” Still, he said he’s “a little bit worried” about what they’ll find when they get back. “There’s nothing destroyed but there have been some issues.”

Isilda Bird, another evacuee from Montreal Lake, said staying in North Battleford has felt surprisingly positive.

“Everything is just beautiful because I’ve been treated very good. The food is great and the hospitality and the rooms are just great too,” she said. But Bird, who has asthma, said the air quality is still a concern.

“The smoke really hurts my throat… so that’s why we have to move to Regina.”

Meanwhile, the Buhl fire, burning west of Weyakwin, has grown to about 35,000 hectares and has entered the northeast corner of Prince Albert National Park. The SPSA is working in conjunction with fire crews and equipment from Parks Canada. They’re using dozers to build fire lines along key roads, setting up burn plans, protecting homes and cabins, and working lake to lake with water support to hold the fire back near Highways 2, 912 and 916. There are 29 personnel, 3 helicopters and heavy equipment responding. In a press conference late Tuesday afternoon, Parks Canada said crews are focused on limiting southerly fire spread. They have planned Cat lines north and south of MacLennon River as well as one north of Crean Lake. Additional Cat lines are in progress to protect the communities of Ramsay Bay and one is planned for Montreal Lake Cree Nation.

The fire is currently 31 kilometers from the townsite of Waskesiu. Parks Canada said there is no immediate threat to public safety, however, weather conditions are expected to lead to fire spread with potential for spotting and that could eventually put public safety at risk.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com