Some roads are closed in northern Sask as wildfires continue to burn. (Facebook/Shana Hansen)

By Susan McNeil

Wildfire 2025

Heatwave leads to erratic wildfire behaviour as evacuations continue

Aug 1, 2025 | 3:25 PM

Firefighters attempting to gain the upper hand in the dozens of wildfires burning across Northern Saskatchewan are getting no respite from Mother Nature over the long weekend.

As the temperatures hit 30°C on Friday and Saturday, inversion is likely and cool air will be trapped under warm air, which leads to more erratic fire behaviour and smoke staying closer to the ground.

Erratic fire behaviour led to two more evacuations on Wednesday as the 1,000-plus residents of Pinehouse left home and drove about 700 km to Regina. Hotels in nearby communities have other evacuees from previous evacuations.

Village leaders in Pinehouse said that the Knee Fire has crossed the road and is now burning on both sides near the Churchill River bridge. A helicopter is on site and bucketing water near the bridge.

The Muskeg Fire is moving east and is also on both sides of the road, and is being actioned by equipment and crews. Highway 918 heading south from Pinehouse is closed, but the highway going to the north remains open.

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While all of the residents have left under the mandatory evacuation, some staff remain behind, and all drivers are being warned that the road north can also be closed at times.

Further to the northwest, Clearwater River Dene Nation was evacuated yesterday afternoon, telling all of their 3,200 residents to register and head to Bonnyville, Alberta.

Fuel cards are available at the Flying Dust Arena in Meadow Lake for people driving themselves out.

La Loche is preparing for the possibility of its own evacuation, and Highway 955 north of the community was closed yesterday. Highway 155 south remains open, although as of Oct. 1, vehicles were being piloted through South Bay and Canoe Lake.

As of July 31, the recommendation was not to evacuate yet, but buses have been placed on standby in Buffalo Narrows if the situation changes.

All evacuees driving out on their own should remember to bring extra supplies like water, food and fuel in case of extended delays.

An update issued by the Prince Albert National Park on Friday said the Buhl Fire is now within one kilometre of Ramsey Bay.

At 87,000 hectares, the Buhl Fire is one of the smaller blazes currently burning in Saskatchewan and is partly burning in the park and partly on provincial Crown land.

Current resources assigned include 225 personnel (not including additional SPSA support staff), 12 helicopters, one infrared scanning drone and 11 pieces of heavy equipment.

The park reiterated the message that fire activity has been increasingly challenging this week due to smoke and the warm, dry and windy conditions.

The Buhl Wildfire response also has access to additional air support as and when required, including air tankers and water tenders.

Last week, several hundred Canadian military firefighters were added to Saskatchewan’s response and are trained to the same ability as Type 3 wildland firefighters.

They have been stationed in Beauval, Weyakwin and La Loche.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social