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 was some good news for people and firefighters in the province, with only 12 active fires burning in Saskatchewan on Saturday.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said in its daily report on June 14 that five of those blazes were not contained, while another two fires were under ongoing assessment and firefighters were also protecting values in two areas. Three fires were considered contained.
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Blazes not contained include the Shoe, Pisew, Wolf, and Ditch fires, according to an SPSA update at 11 a.m.
No live SPSA briefing was held Saturday and none was planned for Sunday.
Active fires in the province on June 14, 2025. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)
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. Protecting values means a fire is active and action is focused on protecting things like cabins and infrastructure.
As well, fire bans are active in 56 urban municipalities, 115 rural municipalities and 28 provincial parks in the province, with the fire danger considered low to moderate over much of the eastern and northern parts of Saskatchewan, and high in central and weatern areas.
SPSA says there have been 253 fires in Saskatchewan so far in 2025. The five-year average to date for Saskatchewan wildfires is 151.
Fire bans in the province on June 14, 2025. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)
Some fire bans still in effect
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 authority’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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