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More than 1,300 people have been forced from their homes as Saskatchewan’s two largest wildfires continue to grow under hot, dry and windy conditions.
As of Sunday morning, the Lobstick Fire near Shellbrook is at approximately 19,000 hectares, slightly larger than the city of Regina, while the Cayford Fire south of Red Earth Cree Nation approached 10,000 hectares, around half the size of Saskatoon.
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The two fires have triggered evacuations across northern Saskatchewan.
“Yesterday the approximation was about 1,200 evacuees from the two First Nations (Shoal Lake and Red Earth),” Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said during a Sunday media briefing.
The Lobstick Fire remains uncontained and is burning about 11.5 kilometres southwest of Holbein. An evacuation order remains in effect for parts of the RM of Shellbrook, while an evacuation alert remains in place for Holbein.
Despite the fire’s growth, Weger said crews have so far managed to protect homes and critical infrastructure.
“The significant efforts of our staff and local fire department have resulted in minimal loss of values, so no homes or any significant infrastructure have been lost to this Lobstick Fire,” he said.
Firefighters continue building dozer lines and extinguishing hot spots north of the North Saskatchewan River while protecting nearby communities and infrastructure.
One of the major priorities is an important transmission line near the fire.
“The SPSA will be building a dozer line heading east towards the North Saskatchewan River to help prevent the fire from advancing towards an important transmission line,” Weger said.
“Helicopters will continue applying fire gel along that transmission line for added protection as well.”
Additional federal resources have also been deployed.
“Today, the SPSA is also receiving a second Q400,” he said.
A federally supplied heavy helicopter has already arrived and was operating.
Active wildfires in Saskatchewan on May 31, 2026. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency/website)
1,200 flee Cayford Fire
The province’s second major concern remains the Cayford Fire south of Red Earth Cree Nation.
The wildfire is located approximately 2.5 kilometres south of Highway 55 and remains under 10,000 hectares.
“The SPSA has crews, equipment and aircraft actively battling this fire since it started on May 26,” Weger said.
As evacuees continued arriving in communities across Saskatchewan, Red Earth Cree Nation leadership spent much of Sunday providing updates on accommodations and support services.
Posts from the Nation indicated that some evacuees were being redirected to Regina after accommodations in Prince Albert and Saskatoon filled up. Leadership also shared updates on meal deliveries, hotel arrangements and support being coordinated through the Canadian Red Cross.
According to updates posted Sunday afternoon, catered meals were being delivered to evacuees staying at several Regina hotels, while Red Cross staff continued working to establish communication channels and supports at hotel sites.
“Both Red Earth and Shoal Lake are working with the Canadian Red Cross on evacuations,” Weger said.
Across Saskatchewan, the SPSA reported 11 active wildfires Sunday morning. Four were listed as contained, four were not contained, two remained under assessment and one was categorized as protecting values.
Weather remains one of the biggest challenges facing firefighters.
Asked about conditions, Weger pointed to strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures.
“Weather conditions will have a major impact on that,” he said while discussing the Lobstick Fire.
He added that fire behaviour can change rapidly depending on terrain, fuel conditions and weather.
“It’s all about the terrain, what type of material that fire is going through and, of course, wind direction,” Weger said.
The SPSA continues to urge residents to monitor SaskAlert and local emergency communication channels for updates on wildfire activity and evacuation information.
“To our emergency crews, career and volunteer firefighters and community leaders, thank you for your service and for your sacrifice,” Weger said.
“Your efforts do not go unnoticed.”
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