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A northern Saskatchewan wildfire that burned more than 200,000 hectares of forest and caused more than $10 million in damages and resource costs has led to a six-year prison sentence.
Jason Halkett, who sparked the Ditch 2 wildfire last year, appeared Thursday morning at Montreal Lake Cree Nation circuit court. The 30-year-old entered a guilty plea to arson in April this year.
The Ditch 2 fire was started May 26, 2025, near Weyakwin. Halkett was observed by a witness in the ditch near the community and, after setting the fire, walked away and made no attempt to call for help.
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A passing SaskPower crew tried to stop the fire, but was unsuccessful.
Noting the multiple communities impacted and evacuated because of the fire, Judge Jeffrey Lubyk described Halkett’s actions as reckless.
“This was a grave offence,” he said.
With remand credit, Halkett has about four years and eight months left to serve. Lubyk recommended that Halkett serve part of his sentence at a healing lodge, though the decision ultimately rests with Correctional Service Canada.
While in custody, Halkett has worked on his management issues and is close to completing his Grade 12 diploma. Lubyk said Halkett still has rehabilitative potential.
The Ditch 2 fire was started May 26, 2025, near Weyakwin and burned more than 200,000 hectares of forest. (paNOW Staff)
Lubyk said on the day of the fire, it was warm and windy, and with wildfire risk very high, people in the area were advised to be cautious.
“Mr. Halkett failed in that regard,” the judge said.
Among the victim impact statements read in court was one from the Waskesiu and District Chamber of Commerce, which noted a loss in business revenue totalling nearly $400,000. It added that closing sections of the national park caused emotional strain for people who live there.
The band manager for Montreal Lake Cree Nation stated the evacuation of 200 residents caused substantial hardship, and many people were forced to leave their homes without essential belongings.
“Families were disrupted,” the band manager said.
The 2025 wildfire season was the worst in Saskatchewan’s history, with more than 500 fires burning nearly three million hectares, and over 10,000 people evacuated from more than 50 communities.
According to a report by the provincial auditor, the 2025 wildfire response cost more than $350 million and included 916 out-of-province workers, who cost between two and five times more than staff firefighters.
Crown Prosecutor Robyn Ermine, who had sought a 10-year sentence, said that because the sentencing was the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, the case was precedent-setting.
