Saskatchewan Commits $20 Million to Rebuild Communities Hit by Wildfires

The Delta Hotels Bessborough is photographed through thick smoke from wildfires burning across the Prairies, in Saskatoon, Sask., on May 20, 2023. The Canadian Press/Heywood Yu

The Saskatchewan government is putting $20 million toward community rebuilding efforts for the areas hardest hit by wildfires.

The province has also put together a task force to help lead the rebuilding effort. Its initial assessment identified debris removal and site clean-up as its top priorities.

“We know that the road to recovery begins with clearing the way to prepare for rebuilding,” Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said in a July 7 press release. “This funding is about safely rebuilding lives and supporting our communities every step of the way.”

The provincial task force will be led by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and include representatives from the Ministries of Government Relations, Social Services, and Environment, and Crown Corporations.

The government said a preliminary needs assessment has been conducted for communities impacted by the wildfires, including Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, and others.

The province said the $20 million in funding will 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.

Government funding will be available to communities and individuals who experienced losses from May 29 to June 26, when the province was under a state of emergency.

The government said the money would not be available to cover the costs of environmental testing or clean-up that was already covered by personal or business insurance. The province is recommending individuals and businesses contact their insurance providers if needed.

The $20 million funding is in addition to the $500 payments the province said it would make to evacuees who are 18 or older. It was estimated the payments will be provided to more than 10,000 people.

Roughly 65 wildfires are still burning in the province, according to a July 9 update. Thirteen of those are deemed not contained.

An estimated 15,000 people were evacuated from their homes during the peak of the wildfires in June, largely from the north of the province.

The province has had 357 wildfires this year, well above the five-year average of 208 to date, the government said.

Four communities are still under an evacuation order, including the Resort Subdivision of Lac La Plonge, La Plonge Reserve, Northern Village of Beauval, and Kinoosao.

The wildfire season has seen a large number of evacuations in western provinces, including Manitoba.

There are currently 83 active wildfires in Manitoba, according to the provincial government. The province has had 237 wildfires in so far this year, compared to the average for this date of 191.

The province had to evacuate approximately 17,000 residents during the peak of the fires last month.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this article.