Saskatchewan had ‘significant gaps’ in 2025 wildfire preparation, response: report

Saskatchewan's handling of the 2025 wildfire season was marked by significant shortcomings in preparedness and response, according to an independent review by accounting firm MNP. The report, which was delayed from its original February due date, identified "significant gaps" in crucial areas such as wildfire prevention, mitigation, and emergency preparedness.

Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) Michael Weger acknowledged the report's findings, stating that the SPSA "must do better." The 2025 season was the second worst on record, with over 500 wildfires burning 2.9 million hectares and displacing 10,000 residents. In Denare Beach, approximately half of the village's 400 homes were destroyed.

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After reading this 107-page review, it is clear the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency must do better.

Weger committed to implementing the report's 11 recommendations, though cost estimates are not yet available. Part of the planned investment includes hiring additional full-time staff for year-round mitigation work and summer firefighting. These actions are intended to address concerns raised directly by residents and business owners affected by the fires.

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Many of these immediate actions are born directly from my conversations with residents and business owners from communities that were affected by the wildfires.

The report also highlighted issues with the province's fire mitigation team, which, though fully staffed by provincial standards, was deemed insufficient for the scale of the problem. The SPSA itself was found to be "not fully prepared for a wildfire season of the scale and complexity seen in 2025." Furthermore, the coordination center meant to manage inter-agency responses was active but not functioning as a fully operational coordination hub.

Marlo Pritchard, president of the SPSA, accepted full responsibility for the identified issues and stated that the report provides a "road map to follow" for improvement. The government plans to add new full-time workers to the SPSA, addressing concerns about staffing levels and operational readiness.

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I have committed to my board and to my minister that we can do better. We now have a road map to follow.