Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees report delays, confusion, and lack of support as many remain displaced and struggle to access promised aid.
Displaced Residents Left Searching for Support
Thousands evacuated due to wildfires in northern Saskatchewan are now navigating a second crisis—limited access to aid. While some evacuees have begun returning home, others remain scattered across the Prairies, struggling to secure housing, food, and financial assistance.
Shyla Evans, a resident of Creighton, Sask., fled the fires late last month with her husband. After multiple relocations—from Flin Flon to The Pas, then Tisdale and Melfort—they have found temporary stability but at great personal cost.
“We’re paying out of pocket, using retirement savings,” Evans said. “We’ve received no help from the Red Cross or the province.”
A Confusing and Inconsistent Aid Process
Evans is not alone. Dozens of evacuees say the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) and the Red Cross have provided little to no direction or direct aid. Many evacuees report long hold times, vague instructions, and contradictory messages depending on the province or agency involved.
Sheri Parr, another Creighton evacuee, voiced her disappointment, particularly in Premier Scott Moe’s government. A former supporter, she contrasted Saskatchewan’s response with Manitoba’s more visible efforts.
“Wab Kinew visited sites personally,” Parr noted. “We didn’t see the same urgency from Saskatchewan.”
Displacement Strains Finances and Mental Health
Current provincial aid includes $200 per day and a one-time $500 payment. But many evacuees say this support has yet to materialize, especially for those who sought shelter in Manitoba or elsewhere.
Without clear guidance, some evacuees have slept in cars, relied on community shelters, or lived off dwindling savings.
“People are sleeping in vehicles with pets,” Evans said. “There’s no central coordination. It’s chaos.”
Gaps in Coordination and Communication
Evacuees say charity support is inconsistent and often fails to reach smaller communities like Creighton. Despite donations, evacuees report food shortages and a lack of clarity on where funds are going.
Multiple residents expressed a desire to involve the provincial ombudsman after failed attempts to reach aid coordinators.
“We feel ignored. The communication between agencies is broken,” Parr said.
Calls for Reform and National Preparedness
Both Evans and Parr emphasized the need for better disaster preparedness, including a national emergency fire response service.
“This won’t be the last wildfire,” Parr warned. “We need protocols in place to prevent this from happening again.”
Though grateful for safety, many evacuees now face prolonged displacement and uncertain futures—frustrated, financially strained, and demanding answers from their government.
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