A miscommunication halted La Loche wildfire evacuees on Aug. 1. SPSA and leaders now clarify what went wrong in northern Saskatchewan.
Evacuation Effort Disrupted in Northern Saskatchewan
A planned wildfire evacuation from La Loche, a remote northern Saskatchewan village, was disrupted on Sunday, August 1, when two buses carrying evacuees were unexpectedly turned back following a communication breakdown between local leaders and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).
Community Leaders Voice Frustration
Community officials in La Loche, located 515 km northwest of Saskatoon, expressed frustration on social media after the buses were halted. According to a Facebook post by community administrator Martha Morin, the SPSA “refused” to receive evacuees in Regina, citing a change in policy that no longer considered heavy smoke a valid reason for evacuation.
La Loche Mayor Lyle Herman addressed residents via Facebook Live, saying, “People were loaded, we have elders, we have children… to be told to get off the bus, that is unacceptable.”
SPSA Clarifies Miscommunication
SPSA Vice President Steve Roberts confirmed in a wildfire update on Wednesday that the agency temporarily held the buses to confirm if community leadership still wished to proceed with the evacuation. He attributed the confusion to an email regarding smoke evacuation policies, which sparked internal discussions about the necessity of transport.
“There was no direct fire threat at the time,” Roberts said. “But once the community confirmed their desire to proceed, we resumed full support and evacuated the residents.”
Air Quality Decisions Not Solely SPSA’s
Roberts clarified that the SPSA does not independently determine whether smoke warrants evacuation. Instead, those calls are made by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with local emergency leaders. He also emphasized that alternative smoke mitigation strategies, such as limiting outdoor exposure, are sometimes recommended over full evacuations.
Still, Roberts confirmed that if a community insists on relocating due to air quality concerns, the SPSA will offer logistical support.
Complexities in Emergency Planning
Roberts explained that wildfire evacuations involve detailed planning, including transportation logistics, accommodation arrangements, and food provisions for long journeys.
“When you’re sending evacuees from La Loche to Regina overnight, you have to consider rest stops, meals, hotel assignments, and registration,” he noted. “We coordinate closely with community emergency teams to manage those needs.”
Saskatchewan Wildfires Continue to Threaten Communities
As of Wednesday, Saskatchewan is battling 81 active wildfires, with only six under control. Approximately 2.3 million hectares have burned this season, with major highways—including 955, 914, 916, and 918—affected.
Thirteen communities remain under evacuation orders, displacing over 3,000 residents. Federal and international firefighting assistance continues to support the province, including crews from Quebec, Australia, Mexico, and 300 Armed Forces members stationed in Saskatchewan.
Ongoing Coordination for Resident Safety
Roberts reaffirmed that evacuation decisions are led by local communities in consultation with provincial agencies. “We provide guidance and support, but the final call rests with the community,” he said. “We’re in ongoing discussions with leaders regarding fire conditions, utility access, and safe timelines for return.”
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