Saskatchewan wildfire destroys homes in Denare Beach, leaving residents struggling with high rents and limited temporary housing options.
A Village Devastated by Fire
Denare Beach, a northeast Saskatchewan village near the Manitoba border, is reeling after a wildfire tore through the community in June, destroying half the homes. Brittany Holmgren, 33, a lifelong resident, lost both her home and workplace.
“My house and my job are gone,” Holmgren said. “Everything was incinerated. There were people digging through their houses finding absolutely nothing. The windows on my car were melted down the side of my car.”
Displacement and Family Struggles
Holmgren and her two daughters, ages four and seven, moved in with her mother in nearby Flin Flon, Manitoba. Her two dogs remain in her camper back in Denare Beach due to incompatibility with other pets. She said the upheaval has been emotionally taxing.
“The four-year-old is taking it a little harder than my seven-year-old, but she’s just been so strong,” Holmgren said.
Housing Shortages and Price Surge
For permanent residents, finding housing has become a challenge. Rentals are now listed at $1,000 per month plus utilities, compared with the $800 Holmgren previously paid for a four-bedroom house. Other displaced residents, such as Jennifer Hysert, are living in a camper inside a warehouse while rebuilding.
“When 500 people go homeless, it’s not easy to find accommodations for everybody,” Hysert said. She also criticized landlords raising rents or charging more for essentials.
Village councillor Karen Thomson confirmed rising costs. “People may look at it as an opportunity that insurance is paying for it. It’s not something I agree with but that’s what happens,” she said.
Temporary Housing Efforts
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has begun placing temporary trailers in Denare Beach and nearby Creighton. Rents start at $680 for individual units and $1,360 to $1,700 for multi-family units. However, only two trailers will be in Denare Beach, with most located in Creighton.
Holmgren said the trailers are not appealing. “It’s just really hard to figure out where you want to be and what you want to do, especially with such limited options,” she said. Thomson, however, said residents have generally been pleased with the temporary units.
Government Response and Accountability
The wildfire season that hit Denare Beach saw almost half of Saskatchewan’s water bomber fleet grounded, forcing 10,000 people to flee across the province. Premier Scott Moe met village officials last month, but the meeting surprised local leaders and left them feeling unprepared.
Hysert called for accountability. “I’m actively working to hold them accountable for their negligence and for retribution,” she said.
Community Resilience and Hope
Despite the devastation, local officials remain optimistic. Councillor Thomson praised firefighters for their tireless work and believes families will return.
“It was a really dark summer,” she said. “I believe that we’re going to rebuild and we’re going to have families back.”
