SPSA VP says fire season already busier than last year

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) was expecting a less busy wildfire season, but so far, it has recorded even more fires than last year.

Vice President Steve Roberts said Saskatchewan has logged 169 total fires as of Tuesday morning – more than the 160 counted at the same time last year and well above the five-year average of around 112.

On Tuesday’s Evan Bray Show, Roberts said the fires come down to spring dryness and human starts.

Listen to Steve Robers on the Evan Bray Show:

“Ninty-five per cent of our fires before the heat of the summer are caused by people doing some activity out there,” he said.

“We don’t see a lot of lightning in April and May – that usually doesn’t start until June or so. These fires are preventable and can be managed, but people don’t realize how dry the forest is when they’re working or when they’re recreating.”

Roberts said the SPSA has a large public relations program advising people not to let their fires go out of control.

He added that while he didn’t have an exact breakdown of fire causes, many happen once the snow melts and people start cleaning their yards or acreage.

Read more:

• Northern Sask. outfitter encourages extreme caution this wildfire season
• Wildfire forces closure of campsites and trails at the Gem Lakes for 2025 season
• Any little thing could spark a grass or wildfire, Sask. fire chief warns

Roberts explained that some of the earlier fires might be caused by people burning bushes or stubble, but many find themselves unprepared if those fires get picked up by the wind.

Roberts said the SPSA has six skimming aircraft and four retardant aircraft, along with 220 seasonal crews directly employed by the government.

“Those are our highest-trained individuals. So they can work out of a helicopter, work off a fire engine, so they’re very well trained and prepared,” he said.

“Then we have over 400 community crews that we have that work 20 weeks for us that come right out of those local northern communities that get added to the fire mix as these fires escalate and we need resources.”

Should the province need more on a temporary basis, it can hire provincially trained short-term firefighters.

Roberts said the rainfall has helped moisture levels in the southern and western parts of the province, but the northeast corner of the province is still at high-risk.

Candle Lake still under pre-evacuation alert

As of Tuesday, the resort village of Candle Lake was still under a pre-evacuation alert due to wildfires east of the area.

The alert was put into effect last Thursday.

Mayor Colleen Lavoie said crews had the fire around “80 per cent” contained, but there still existed risks due to high winds and a lack of rain.

However, Lavoie said everyone seemed to be in good spirits and helping each other out.

“I think the communities are in good hands. Our fire chief is working with all of the other agencies. So I think the best, the best thing for us to do is remain calm and wait,” Lavoie said.

She said people are continuously checking for updates to stay on top of things and many have a “to-go” bag ready in case they have to leave.

“One of the things is, for us, older people, don’t forget your computer passwords. You’ll never remember how to get into anything,” she laughed.

On Tuesday afternoon, she said the fire was about 25 kilometres away from Candle Lake.

Candle Lake has about 1,300 permanent residents, but with more than 2,000 cabins and thousands more visiting while camping, Lavoie said the number of people in the area can balloon to about 10-12,000 people on a busy weekend.

However, Lavoie said this past weekend was quieter.