Sask RCMP Charge Man With Arson in Connection to Wildfire

An RCMP collar tab pin is seen in Edmonton, on Feb. 5, 2025. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

Saskatchewan RCMP say they’ve charged a 29-year-old man with arson in connection with a wildfire started in May that saw properties damaged and communities evacuated.

The charges are connected to what the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) called the Ditch 2 fire, which RCMP said caused structure damage and the “evacuation of several communities.”

RCMP said the fire started on May 26 in the Weyakwin area, which is 282 kilometres north of Saskatoon.

SPSA fire investigators looked into the cause of the fire and determined it was “human-caused,” RCMP said.

Waskesiu RCMP started a criminal investigation that led to Jason Halkett from LaRonge being charged with one count of arson - damage to property.

Saskatchewan RCMP said he was arrested in Saskatoon by local police on Aug. 27 and appeared in provincial court on Aug 28.

SPSA confirmed to The Epoch Times it was aware of the charges, but said that as the matter was before the court, it would not provide further comment.

There are currently four wildfires classified as “not contained” in the province, according to SPSA data. Seven more are considered contained while 30 others are under “ongoing assessment.”

As of Aug. 30, there have been 473 wildfires in Saskatchewan this year, compared to a five-year average of 406. Wildfires have also caused 33 evacuations, compared to a five-year average of three.

By mid-June, 15,000 residents in the province had been evacuated from their homes, according to SPSA data.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe declared a state of emergency due to the wildfire situation on May 29.

Moe said at the time the province was seeing “devastating effects” of the wildfires.

Ottawa committed to match each dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross up to $30 million to help with wildfire disaster relief and recovery initiatives in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It was in effect from May 30 to June 29.

Moe said the province would provide $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross to support those who had been displaced by the wildfires.

The provincial government announced in July it was putting $20 million toward community rebuilding efforts for those hardest hit by the wildfires.

It said the money would be used for debris removal and environmental testing; the creation, expansion, or maintenance of landfills near the impacted communities; and supporting initiatives aimed at local recovery efforts.

The money was in addition to $500 payments the province said it would make to evacuees who were 18 years or older. It was estimated the payments would be provided to more than 10,000 people.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this article.