There is a fire ban now in effect for all provincial Crown lands including provincial parks for most of east-central Saskatchewan. The fire ban is due to hot, dry conditions and increasing fire activity; there are currently 11 wildfires burning in the province as well as several in an area covered by the fire ban. To date Saskatchewan has had 603 wildfires, which is more than double the five-year average of 298. A fire ban includes any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks in all areas:

Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency points out that with hunting season comes more human activity and as a result more human-caused fire starts. Steve Roberts, says, “The SPSA encourages all residents, including hunters, to exercise caution to prevent fire starts and for all municipalities to examine the fire risk in their area.”

The fire ban includes any open fires, controlled burns and fireworks within all areas:

South of Highway #106 from the Manitoba border to Highway #55;
South of Highway #55 from Highway #106 to Prince Albert;
East of Highway #2 from Prince Albert to Highway #5; and
North of Highway #5 to the Manitoba border.
It also includes all land within 4.5 km of the provincial forest boundary.

The SPSA says its not uncommon for fires to continue to burn into the fall when their are warm and dry conditions. The Agency is responding to several fires in the area near Hudson Bay, with helicopter and ground crews. Smoke from these fires may impact local communities, depending on wind strength and direction. The SPSA is in contact with community leaders and encourages anyone affected by smoke to stay indoors at this time.