A man responsible for setting a massive wildfire that burned through northern Saskatchewan last year has been sentenced to six years in prison. Thirty-year-old Jason Halkett, originally from Brochet, Man., was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of arson causing damage to property for lighting the Ditch 2 wildfire. The fire burned more than 200,000 hectares of forest during Saskatchewan’s 2025 wildfire season. “I think this really sets a precedent for public prosecutions and that there was no prior wildfire sentencing case, per se. So it was a lot of work and detailed a lot of public prosecutions efforts to bring this to fruition,” Crown prosecutor Robyn Ermine told reporters after the sentencing. “There was no prior wildfire sentencing case, per se. So, it was a lot of work and detailed a lot of public prosecution’s efforts to bring this to fruition.” The maximum penalty for the offence is 14 years in prison. The Crown sought a sentence of 10 years, while the defence argued for a sentence between three years and 40 months. “I think the sentence that judge arrived at is a fair middle, middle ground in terms of what defence and the Crown were seeking,” Ermine said. The time Halkett has spent in remand will count toward his sentence, leaving him with four years and eight months left to serve in a federal facility. He was also handed a 10-year firearm prohibition. Taken into consideration was Halkett’s potential for rehabilitation, as he has been completing his high school education while in custody. Halkett’s history of physical and sexual abuse, along with a suspected impairment related to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, were also taken into account. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency estimated the fire cost more than $10 million to fight, and firefighting crews were deployed from across Canada and internationally to help battle the blaze. The Ditch 2 wildfire was first reported near Weyakwin on May 26, 2025, and burned for four months before it was eventually contained. Reportedly Halkett was spotted by a witness standing in the ditch near already lit fire at the treeline. Victim impact statements said this led to immediate evacuations from the area with some having to leave essential items including medication.
