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🇨🇦 Canada /Disasters & Emergencies

Sentencing delayed again for man behind Ditch-2 wildfire

From Global News · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A Saskatchewan man convicted of starting the Ditch-2 wildfire has had his sentencing postponed for a fourth consecutive time.
  • Jason Halkett pleaded guilty in April and is expected back in court on September 17.
  • The wildfire burned about 200,000 hectares, damaged structures and forced several communities to evacuate; Halkett could face up to 14 years in prison.

Jason Halkett will have to wait at least a few more weeks to learn what sentence he will receive for starting the Ditch-2 wildfire in Saskatchewan.

A La Ronge man, Halkett pleaded guilty in April to starting the fire, which began in the Weyakwin area in May 2025. His sentencing date has now been rescheduled for the fourth time.

Halkett waited at the Montreal Lake Cree Nation Band Office until 1 p.m. before learning that the hearing would be postponed because of a lengthy court docket. Crown Counsel Robyn Ermine and defence lawyer Evan Streiloff are preparing contested sentencing submissions.

The Ditch-2 wildfire reached about 200,000 hectares during last year’s record-setting fire season. It damaged structures and forced several communities to evacuate. Halkett was arrested in August last year, months after the fire began, and has been remanded in custody. He is expected to return to court on September 17 and could face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

About this summary

Originally published by Global News. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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