SPSA officials said on Friday the Lobstick Fire burning between Duck Lake and MacDowall had crossed the North Saskatchewan River and was likely sparked by lightning rather than human activity, as first believed. (Image Credit: Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency/Facebook)

By CKOM

"We have to take this very seriously."

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency issues widespread fire ban

May 29, 2026 | 8:54 PM

Saskatchewan has imposed a sweeping fire ban across much of central and southern parts of the province as new details emerge about the Lobstick Fire burning southwest of Prince Albert.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency announced the restrictions Thursday, days after some rural municipalities implemented their own fire bans and local leaders called for broader provincial action.

The fire ban covers Crown land south of Highway 55 from the Alberta border to the Manitoba border. It also applies to provincial parks, provincial recreation sites, northern settlements, resort subdivisions and other titled or leased land within the designated area.

The restrictions prohibit open fires, controlled burns and fireworks. ATV and UTV use is also prohibited within the provincial forest, except for bona fide commercial operators.

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Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said the province made the decision because of ongoing hot, dry conditions and the heightened wildfire risk across Saskatchewan.

“Implementing a fire ban is a necessary action to reduce the risk of wildfires to residents, communities and other resources,” Weger said during a media briefing Friday.

The announcement came after RM of Duck Lake Reeve Remi Martin publicly questioned why the province had not imposed a broader fire ban sooner while the Lobstick Fire continued to burn nearby.

Asked about those concerns, Weger said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency considers several factors before imposing restrictions, including fire danger, available firefighting resources and weather forecasts.

“We don’t impose a fire ban, or in this case a fire ban and an ATV, UTV ban, lightly,” Weger said. “We’re coming off the absolute worst wildfire season we’ve had in the province of Saskatchewan, and so we have to take this very seriously.”

As of Thursday afternoon, Saskatchewan had six active wildfires burning across the province.

“We’re in an immediate threat of wildfire in this province,” Weger said. “We’re in very high risk.”

Residents can find current fire restrictions and wildfire information through the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s online fire ban and wildfire maps.

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by CKOM

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency issues widespread fire ban

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