PRINCE ALBERT - Here is the latest wildfire update from the province issued Thursday afternoon.
As of 3 p.m.Thursday, there are 19 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those four are categorized as contained, four not contained, eight ongoing assessment and three listed as protecting values.
So far in 2025 Saskatchewan has had 265 wildfires, outpacing the five-year average of 158.
Five communities continue to be under evacuation orders and those are Creighton, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, Whelan Bay and priority individuals in Cumberland House. Approximately 2,000 evacuees are still looking to return home. Of those, 300 are currently supported by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency in hotels or staying with friends and family.
Regarding the distribution of the recently announced $500 Government of Saskatchewan payments to impacted residents, the province says over $3.8 million has been transferred to communities that are distributing the payments directly to their residents. The plan to deliver over $160,000 directly to residents of Denare Beach in the coming days.
The SPSA also says it has established a Recovery Task Force. According to the province's news release it will includes representatives from Health, Social Services, Government Relations and others as needed to assist communities impacted. The task force will be "focused on the tasks needed to help communities rebuild," according to the province's news release, with more information to be provided in the near future.
