(submitted photo/ La Ronge Fire Department)

By Kenneth Cheung

WILDFIRE UPDATE

80 active wildfires burning in northern Sask. as province expands firefighter cancer coverage

Aug 5, 2025 | 5:01 PM

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) says 80 wildfires are currently burning in the province, with seven considered wildfires of note and remaining out of control as of Monday, Aug. 5.

The largest, the SHOE fire near Lower Fishing Lake, has burned 565,701 hectares since early May and has led to the closure of Narrow Hills Provincial Park and surrounding recreation areas.

Other major fires include the MUSKEG fire, burning north of Beauval and the La Plonge Indian Reserve. It has grown to more than 313,000 hectares and has forced evacuations in several communities.

More than 700 people from Patuanak and the English River First Nation are receiving support from the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. Nearly 200 evacuees have also fled La Loche due to the nearby PARK fire, which is nearing 65,000 hectares.

Multiple highways have been closed due to fire activity, including 935, 916, 155 and 165.

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Crews from across Canada includes air tankers, ground teams, heavy equipment operators and members of the Canadian Armed Forces, all are working to protect homes, infrastructure and important assets like SaskPower and SaskTel lines.

Firefighting efforts are being hampered by shifting winds, with gusts reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour and a risk of thunderstorms in several regions.

Amid the ongoing crisis, the provincial government announced Tuesday it is expanding presumptive cancer coverage to include wildland firefighters under the Workers’ Compensation Act.

Effective Aug. 1, those fighting wildfires in Saskatchewan will be covered for 22 types of cancer, bringing them in line with structural firefighters who already qualify under the legislation.

“We are committed to supporting our wildland firefighters, who have been putting themselves at risk to protect their communities,” Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board Jim Reiter said in a statement.

“Saskatchewan is leading the way in Canada with the extension of presumptive cancer coverage for 22 types of cancer.”

Evacuation orders remain in place for more than a dozen communities, including the Northern Village of La Loche, Clearwater River Dene Nation, Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge, La Plonge Reserve, Northern Hamlet of Jans Bay, Resort Subdivision of Ramsey Bay, Patuanak and English River First Nation, Northern Village of Pinehouse, Canoe Lake Cree First Nation and Canoe Narrows, and the Resort Subdivision of Little Amyot Lake.

Priority individuals have also been evacuated from the Northern Village of Beauval, Northern Hamlet of Cole Bay and Île-à-la-Crosse.

The SPSA continues to monitor the situation and provide updates through its interactive wildfire map and Highway Hotline.

Any 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.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com