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The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says it’s responded to a request through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, sending fire hose to B.C. to help with that province’s wildfire response. (Image Credit: Submitted/Government of Saskatchewan)
SPSA

Saskatchewan saw 358 wildfires during ‘relatively moderate’ 2026 season

Oct 21, 2026 | 10:21 AM

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said the province saw a “relatively moderate” fire season in 2026.

As of Monday, Saskatchewan has seen 358 wildfires this season, the agency said, which is well below last year’s total of 520 and the five-year average of 539. More than 3,000 square kilometres of land burned during the 2026 wildfire season, largely in the north.

“Despite nearly 360 wildfires this season, there was minimal damage and losses to property due to the incredible work of our wildland firefighters, first responders and community members,” Michael Weger, Saskatchewan’s community safety minister, said in a statement.

“Thank you for protecting our communities and contributing to a strong and steady Saskatchewan.”

The public safety agency said 165 of the 538 wildfires were identified as human-caused, a figure “fewer than those caused by lightning.” The public reported 113 fires this season, the agency added.

In addition to responding to the fires in Saskatchewan, the agency said it provided resources in the form of personnel, equipment and air support to out-of-province agencies in British Columbia, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario and Oregon.

“While the number of active wildfires remains low, the risk of new fire starts is still present,” the agency noted.

“Residents are encouraged to stay alert and help prevent wildfire by following local fire restrictions and practicing safe outdoor activities.”

Recovery from flooding, 2025 wildfires continues

After a number of communities in the province were devastated by spring flooding, the public safety agency said it is working on long-term recovery and assistance efforts.

“The SPSA Operations Division responded to 47 flooding incidents this year, 30 of which were caused by snow melt,” the agency said.

“The Recovery Task Team (RTT) continues to provide support for dozens of communities impacted by flooding across the province. This includes recovery centres, virtual town halls and the creation of a web portal to provide recovery information and assistance to local governments and community administrators.”

Meanwhile, some parts of the province continue to work towards recovering after the 2025 wildfire season, which burned huge tracts of land and destroyed numerous homes and buildings.

An independent review of last year’s wildfire season found that the public safety agency was “not fully prepared” for the scale of the fires in 2025.

The public safety agency said the community of Denare Beach, one of those hit hardest by the fires in 2025, marked the one-year anniversary of the fire in June.

“Rebuilding the community started roughly three months after the wildfire, and, to date; 58 homes have been rebuilt in the area with nine more expected to be completed this month,” the public safety agency noted.

“The community established a five-phase mitigation plan and has successfully completed three phases so far.”

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