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More than 500 acres of land at Star Blanket Cree Nation are scorched because of an out-of-control fire that broke out over the weekend.
Constable Travis Rosborough, with the File Hills First Nation Police Service, said officers are now notifying people on Little Black Bear First Nation to be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice.
“We’ve had some significant winds that have increased in intensity and have increased (the flames) in various different directions,” he said.
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Rosborough said the flames are threatening 10 different homes on the first nation.
On Sunday around 3:15 p.m., an officer noticed the smoke changing from white to black, Rosborough reported, with the investigation finding the fire had started at a home on the First Nation.
“There is interest in laying charges in relation to the fire,” Rosborough said.
Constable Rosborough encouraged people to reach out if part of their property was damaged by the flames. (File Hills First Nations Police Service/ Facebook)
On Monday afternoon, flames flared again with winds reaching 90 kilometres an hour.
While many areas north of the first nation are dealing with flood waters, Rosborough said the first nation is very dry.
File Hills Nations Fire Teams and Balcarres & Rural Fire Department rushed to scene to help contain the flames.
It took about three hours for the 40 crew members at the scene to contain the fire, according to Rosborough.
“There’s lots of black areas of where fire had burned,” he said. “There are some spots that are still smouldering in the trees.”
The fire began on Star Blanket Cree Nation and moved towards Little Black Bear First Nation on May 10, 2026. (File Hills First Nations Police Service/ Facebook)
Crews are still trying to determine what structures burned in the fire. Rosborough said a shed and the boards of a makeshift community rink was damaged.
Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for most of southern Saskatchewan, covering the area where Star Blanket Cree Nation sits.
It could bring gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour.
While the rink was damaged, Rosborough said crews managed to protect the baseball diamonds. (File Hills First Nations Police Service/ Facebook)
Wicked winds challenge fire crews
Michael G. Starr, the Chief of Star Blanket Cree Nation, said more volunteer firefighters are being called in to help tackle the unruly flames.
“We’re containing it in some cases, and then all of a sudden, the wind picks up and shifts,” he said. “It’s a shifting wind and making it more difficult for our fire crews to to contain it.”
Three homes on the reserve were being threatened by fast moving flames as of Monday afternoon.
The urgent push to protect peoples homes life Starr with a mix of emotions.
“We’re feeling a little bit more anxiety,” he said. “A little bit of feeling a little bit pressure.”
Starr said there is no reason for other community members to light a fire at this time.
