Murray Wood: Who's hot and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot and who's not. This week's list includes...
There were 19 active fires burning in Saskatchewan on Saturday, most in the northern half of the province.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said in its daily report on May 10 that six of those blazes were not contained, while another six of the fires were under ongoing assessment. Seven fires were considered contained.
Read more:
- Village of Alvena issues water rationing notice as wildfire burns nearby
- Evacuations ordered as 4 homes burn in uncontained wildfire on James Smith Cree Nation
- Video: Regina crews battle wind in effort to control grass fire near Co-op Refinery
Contained means suppression action is taking place and the fire is not expected to grow in size, ongoing Assessment means the fire is being monitored regularly to assess risk to values in the area and not contained means suppression action is taking place but the fire is expected to grow in size, according to SPSA.
(Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)
As well, fire bans are active in 46 urban municipalities, 118 rural municipalities and 19 provincial parks in the province, with the fire danger considered extreme over much of the southern part of Saskatchewan.
SPSA says there have been 141 fires in Saskatchewan so far in 2025. The five-year average to date for Saskatchewan wildfires is 68.
Byron Chartrand, the executive director of land management with the SPSA, said on Friday the bans are due to the current dry conditions and have come earlier this year than in the past.
He said there’s been minimal lightning this year, so all the fires so far have been caused by human activity.
“(ATVs), you know, riding and a spark starts a fire in the dry grass. Or it could be people burning brush or something on their property that got away due to the wind, right down to other fires that could be more malicious and arson-like which are being investigated,” he explained.
It is OK to operate propane and gas appliances, liquid fuelled stoves and grills using charcoal briquettes in a fire ban.(urban_light / Depositphotos.com)
Everything you need to know about fire bans in Saskatchewan
SPSA provides the following information about fire bans in the province:
Is there a fire ban? If so, where?
• The interactive fire ban map found on saskpublicsafety.ca provides a view of the current, active fire bans and restrictions in Saskatchewan.
• If a local authority such as a municipality, a park or the SPSA have implemented a fire ban, details of each authoritie’s restrictions put in place can be found within the interactive map here.
• Check with a local authority for their bylaws and fire ban details. You should also check with the campground that you’re staying in for any fire restrictions they may have implemented.
Why was a fire ban implemented?
• The SPSA along with other Saskatchewan local authorities, such as a municipality, park or First
Nations, have the authority to issue their own fire bans.
• A local authority may issue a fire ban when the risk of wildfires is deemed high and there is a need to
reduce the likelihood of unwanted human-caused wildfires.
• The SPSA can issue a fire ban within Crown land, provincial parks, recreational areas, and the NSAD (Northern Saskatchewan Administration District).
• Each day, the SPSA assesses the implementation of a fire ban based on prevailing wildfire risks, ongoing
wildfire occurrences, potential for new wildfires and long-range weather predictions.
When will a fire ban be lifted?
• It is up to the authority who issued the ban to rescind or modify the fire ban.
• A fire ban will be lifted or adjusted according to fluctuations in risk.
What fines or penalties are in place for violating a fire ban?
• As per The Wildfire Act, those in violation of a provincial fire ban order can face a fine of up to
$500,000 per day (or part day) and/or imprisonment for up to three years. They could also be liable for covering the costs of the resulting wildfire.
• If someone violates a municipal fire bylaw, the fine would be pursuant to the municipal bylaw.
Why is there still a fire ban when it’s been rainy and/or cold for days?
• Although there may have been cooler temperatures and precipitation in some areas, the overall risk of
wildfire can remain.
• If there are other fires burning across the province, local personnel may be deployed to those fires,
which limits the resources available in lower-risk areas.
Is Crown land closed to the public during a fire ban?
• Crown land is not typically closed during a fire ban.
Who enforces the fire ban?
• Enforcement for fire bans is up to the jurisdiction. For example, in an RM or municipality, it would be
the bylaw officer. In parks, it would be conservation officers or RCMP.
• SPSA would only be the enforcement lead on vacant Crown land.
Can I have a campfire?
• No, a fire ban means that campfires are not permitted as they represent a significant fire risk.
What types of outdoor cooking appliances are allowed during a fire ban?
• Propane and gas appliances, along with liquid fuelled stoves are permitted.
• Grills using charcoal briquettes are also permitted.
Are fireworks, firecrackers or sky lanterns allowed during a fire ban?
• No, fireworks, firecrackers and sky lanterns are not allowed during a fire ban as they pose a significant
fire risk.
Are there restrictions on smoking in the areas covered under the ban?
• No, but visitors and residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution to help prevent wildfire. Properly dispose of smoking materials such as cigarettes.
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