300 Canadian Armed Forces members will arrive in Saskatchewan by Saturday to support wildfire response as evacuations grow across the province.
Military Reinforcements En Route to Saskatchewan
Roughly 300 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel will begin arriving in Saskatchewan by Saturday to support wildfire operations, according to a provincial update on Thursday by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).
The deployment follows a formal request for federal assistance issued by Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod on Wednesday. An advance CAF team is already stationed in Prince Albert coordinating the broader response strategy.
Deployment to Relieve Fire Crews
SPSA President Marlo Pritchard explained the incoming Type 3 military personnel will assist with mop-up operations and provide logistical support. Their arrival is expected to free up Type 1 and Type 2 firefighting crews for front-line fire suppression.
“These troops will be used in less intense zones, allowing our more experienced teams to concentrate on high-risk areas,” said Pritchard. Helicopters for water bucketing and crew movement are also part of the federal support package.
Evacuation Notices Expand
Shortly before Thursday’s update, a wildfire evacuation notice was issued for the Ramsey Bay Northern Resort Subdivision and Ramsey Bay Campground near Weyakwin Lake, approximately 140 km north of Prince Albert.
A fast-moving fire is threatening the area, prompting authorities to urge immediate evacuation. Those able to self-evacuate are directed to travel via Highway 2 and register with the province. Evacuees needing shelter are being directed to the Days Inn in Prince Albert.
Mixed Reaction to Federal Request Timing
While additional help is welcome, the SPSA has come under fire from residents and local leaders for not requesting federal support sooner. Pritchard defended the timing, noting that milder weather and effective work by Type 1 and 2 crews made conditions safe for Type 3 military involvement.
“Our strategy was based on deploying the right resources at the right time,” he said.
Métis Nation Calls for Inclusion
The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) declared a state of emergency in the province’s northwest on Wednesday. Regional representative Brennan Merasty voiced frustration over a lack of consultation from the province and emphasized the need to incorporate Indigenous knowledge in wildfire response.
“We’ve hosted evacuees before and we’re ready to do it again—but we need to be at the table,” Merasty said, proposing Batoche as a culturally familiar evacuation site.
Growing Provincial and International Support
Pritchard confirmed that crews from other provinces and countries are also aiding in the firefight. These include 22 Type 1 firefighters from New Brunswick, 41 from Mexico, 41 from Australia, 22 from Nova Scotia, and 12 from Ontario. Another 41 are expected from Quebec within a day.
The support is part of a broader multi-agency effort to manage a record-breaking wildfire season.
Current Fire Situation Across Saskatchewan
As of Thursday afternoon, Saskatchewan is battling 55 active wildfires. Of those, 14 are uncontrolled, and 10 communities remain under evacuation orders.
So far this year, 392 wildfires have burned across 1.8 million hectares—far exceeding the five-year average of 319 fires by late July. Around 3,000 residents remain displaced.
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