Ditch, Shoe, and Wolf Fires now contained, provincial fire ban lifted: SPSA

WATCH: Recent rainfall has helped crews gain control over some of Saskatchewan’s largest wildfires.

The Ditch, Shoe and Wolf Fires are now considered contained according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).

The three fires were some of the province’s largest blazes – causing most of the damage during the early weeks of the 2025 fire season.

The Wolf Fire was particularly destructive, being responsible for the loss of around 300 structures in Denare Beach.

In addition to the containment of the fires, a reprieve in weather has allowed the SPSA to lift the provincial fire ban - which affected all Crown lands located north of the provincial forest boundary to the Churchill River – along with the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District.

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The ban officially lifted at 11 p.m. Wednesday, with the SPSA making the announcement early Thursday morning.

“Over the last three to four days, all areas of the northern forest have received between five and 20 millimeters of rain,” SPSA vice president of operations Steve Roberts said in an update Thursday.

“That has increased our ability to contain these fires and accomplish more and has also reduced the risk of these fires to local communities and infrastructure.”

Roberts clarified that while the Ditch, Shoe, and Wolf fires are considered contained, it doesn’t mean the fires are out or that work has stopped.

“We do not expect them to have any further growth or expansion at this time,” he said. “It does not mean that activity has stopped.”

Due to the containment of the three large fires, Roberts said some of their support has been released, including two of their heavy helicopters and two air tankers from Quebec.

“We have renewed the Canadian Armed Forces contingent of 300 firefighters but have released their three helicopter support craft this time, and our Australian partners are heading home after a long deployment here in Saskatchewan,” he said.

“Still remaining on the fire line, [we] have support from Quebec, Canada, Ontario, Yukon, Mexico, North Dakota,” he added.

Roberts said as they continue to make progress in the fight against wildfires, they will look at new opportunities to send more crews home.

When asked about what the biggest challenge facing crews right now is, Roberts pointed to exhaustion.

“[They’re] tired. It’s been a long season. Some of them are having to return to school here shortly. We’re also seeing that again. Some of them are on their fourth, fifth, sixth assignment. So, the change in fire behavior is welcomed by the crews, because they can be more productive,” he said.

Roberts said in terms of impact of this wildfire season, there were 38 communities evacuated at some point, with significant damage seen.

“The area that was impacted by fire this year pretty much concentrated in the southern half of the northern forest, which is where the bulk of our population resides in the forest,” he explained.

“In past years, large fires may have only threatened one or two communities. Those same fires have obviously threatened many, many communities, and we’ve seen one of the largest losses of homes and structures in a number of years and that’s at Denare Beach and East Trout Lake.”

As for what the rest of the wildfire season may look like, Roberts said the cooler, wetter period is leading to better night temperatures which are helping the fires.

Although the provincial fire ban has been lifted, Roberts said people should still be cautious with their activities, noting that many wildfires this year were human caused.

As well, provincial parks and municipalities may have their own local fire bans or restrictions in place, the agency reminded the public.

As of 2 p.m. Thursday, there are 79 active wildfires. Six are considered contained, 11 are not contained, 40 are undergoing assessment – while protecting values is the priority of the remaining 22 fires.

A total of 466 blazes have been recorded so far this fire season – well ahead of the five-year average of 372 but below last year’s count of 476.

Eight communities remain under evacuation.