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Saskatchewan has imposed a sweeping fire ban across much of central and southern parts of the province as new details emerge about the Lobstick Fire burning southwest of Prince Albert.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency announced the restrictions Thursday, days after some rural municipalities implemented their own fire bans and local leaders called for broader provincial action.
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At the same time, officials revealed that the Lobstick Fire had crossed the North Saskatchewan River, damaged two outbuildings, and was likely sparked by lightning rather than human activity, as first believed.
The fire ban covers Crown land south of Highway 55 from the Alberta border to the Manitoba border. It also applies to provincial parks, provincial recreation sites, northern settlements, resort subdivisions and other titled or leased land within the designated area.
The restrictions prohibit open fires, controlled burns and fireworks. ATV and UTV use is also prohibited within the provincial forest, except for bona fide commercial operators.
A map of fire bans in Saskatchewan on May 29, 2026. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency/Website)
Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said the province made the decision because of ongoing hot, dry conditions and the heightened wildfire risk across Saskatchewan.
“Implementing a fire ban is a necessary action to reduce the risk of wildfires to residents, communities and other resources,” Weger said during a media briefing Thursday.
The announcement came after RM of Duck Lake Reeve Remi Martin publicly questioned why the province had not imposed a broader fire ban sooner while the Lobstick Fire continued to burn nearby.
Asked about those concerns, Weger said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency considers several factors before imposing restrictions, including fire danger, available firefighting resources and weather forecasts.
“We don’t impose a fire ban, or in this case a fire ban and an ATV, UTV ban, lightly,” Weger said.
“We’re coming off the absolute worst wildfire season we’ve had in the province of Saskatchewan, and so we have to take this very seriously.”
One of the biggest developments from Thursday’s briefing involved the cause of the fire.
Earlier information suggested the Lobstick Fire may have been human-caused. However, Weger said fire investigators now believe lightning was the likely source.
“Initial reports were that it was human-caused,” Weger said. “Now after the investigation, it appears that it was likely a lightning strike.”
According to Weger, investigators located a tree that appeared to have been struck by lightning near the fire’s origin. The wildfire has also expanded beyond a major natural barrier.
“The Lobstick Fire did pass over the river this morning,” Weger said.
Crews were focused on suppressing new fire activity north of the North Saskatchewan River and preventing further spread.
Weger said two structures had been damaged by the wildfire, but clarified that they were outbuildings, not homes.
The fire also prompted an evacuation alert for the nearby community of Lily Plain.
“That’s alerting people that they should consider evacuating,” Weger said. “It’s not mandatory to my knowledge at this time.”
Weger identified Lily Plain, Macdowall, Duck Lake and Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation as communities located within roughly 20 kilometres of the fire.
The wildfire has also affected local agriculture.
“My understanding is that there’s some ag land that has been affected by this,” Weger said.
“Some farmers have been affected, and some ranchers have had to move their cattle to different locations.”
Extreme heat and smoke have complicated firefighting efforts.
Weger said temperatures approaching the mid-30s forced crews to temporarily pull back some heavy equipment because conditions became too dangerous.
“The dozers just couldn’t get into some of the spots,” he said.
Smoke has also limited visibility for aerial firefighting operations.
As of Thursday afternoon, Saskatchewan had six active wildfires burning across the province.
“We’re in an immediate threat of wildfire in this province,” Weger said. “We’re in very high risk.”
Residents can find current fire restrictions and wildfire information through the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s online fire ban and wildfire maps.
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