Man charged with arson for starting wildfire in northern Saskatchewan

People stop along a highway as a large active wildfire fills the sky with smoke in the background in the La Ronge, Sask., area in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

A 29-year-old man from La Ronge has been charged with arson in connection to a wildfire that spread across northern Saskatchewan, causing structure damage and evacuating several communities.

The fire, known as the Ditch 2 fire, started on May 26, in the Weyakwin area.

Fire investigators with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency determined that the fire was human-caused, prompting Waskesiu RCMP to launch a criminal investigation.

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As a result of the investigation, Jason Halkett was charged with one count of arson – damage to property.

Halkett was arrested on Aug. 27 by the Saskatoon Police Service in Saskatoon.

He appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Thursday, Aug. 28.