Wildfire enters Beauval, Sask., forcing emergency airlifts from Patuanak as roads close and smoke worsens. Over 900 remain displaced across the province.

Northern Saskatchewan Communities Grapple with Worsening Wildfire

A fast-moving wildfire has entered the northern Saskatchewan village of Beauval, forcing evacuations and damaging structures, while over 700 residents in nearby Patuanak are being airlifted after flames cut off the only road access.

Fire Reaches Beauval, Sparks Emergency Response

On Thursday evening, Beauval Mayor Rick Laliberte confirmed that a wildfire had breached the village boundaries, damaging buildings and surrounding infrastructure. The fire, which approached from both the west and north, left structural firefighters battling to contain it as the last emergency personnel evacuated the area.

“It’s unbelievable. You pray that it wouldn’t happen — but it’s here and it’s real,” said Laliberte, describing how a wall of flames 100 feet high blocked his attempted return.

The northern Saskatchewan village, located approximately 350 kilometres from Saskatoon, had issued a mandatory evacuation last week, though emergency staff remained until the fire made re-entry impossible late Thursday.

Patuanak Declares Emergency, Begins Airlifts

Roughly 80 kilometres north of Beauval, the hamlet of Patuanak is experiencing its own crisis after wildfires severed Highway 918 — the only road access — leaving the community isolated for days. On Wednesday, English River First Nation (ERFN), which administers Patuanak, declared a state of emergency and began airlifting Priority 1 and 2 residents, including elders, children, and those with medical needs.

Cheyenna Hunt, ERFN’s director of lands and consultation, said volatile wind conditions and smoke prompted the move. “The combination of fire and smoke has created this state,” Hunt said.

Residents Describe Stressful, Uncertain Journey

Evacuee Olivia McIntyre shared her harrowing experience as she and her son, who has cerebral palsy, were urgently evacuated Thursday morning. “We were told to pack one bag. We didn’t even know where we were going,” she said, adding that the smoke had intensified her son’s anxiety.

Their route involved air transfer to Buffalo Narrows, followed by a bus to Lloydminster. One evacuation bus was forced to turn back due to an approaching blaze. Many evacuees — including pregnant women and young children — remain unsure where they will be relocated or for how long.

Fires Continue to Burn Across the North

As of Thursday, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reported 56 active wildfires in the province, with only five fully contained. The Muskeg fire, threatening both Beauval and Patuanak, now spans nearly 34,000 hectares. Another nearby blaze, the Smith Fire, sits 29 kilometres from Patuanak.

Despite the growing concern, SPSA officials say wind changes expected Monday should push the fire away from Patuanak. “These fires will not be getting any closer,” said Bryan Chartrand, SPSA’s executive director of land operations.

Evacuation Orders, Fire Ban Expand

The SPSA has issued additional evacuation orders for La Plonge reserve, Lac La Plonge resort area, and Kinoosao. As of Thursday, over 930 people remain displaced, a significant drop from 15,000 in June.

A fire ban now applies to areas north of the provincial forest boundary to the Churchill River due to “extreme fire risk.” To date, Saskatchewan has recorded 362 wildfires in 2025 — far above the five-year average of 222 by this point in the season.

Looking Ahead

While officials anticipate some relief from changing wind patterns, the scale and speed of northern Saskatchewan’s wildfires have underscored the vulnerability of remote communities. Coordination between provincial agencies and First Nations leadership remains vital as emergency teams continue their efforts to protect lives, homes, and infrastructure.

As the situation evolves, displaced families — like those from Beauval and Patuanak — face a challenging and uncertain road ahead.

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