Latest news with #NarrowHills
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Saskatoon law firm considers class action against province over poor wildfire response
A Saskatoon law firm says it's considering launching a class action lawsuit against the province for its failure to adequately respond to the devastating wildfires that displaced approximately 20,000 people last month. In a news release last week, Procido LLP said it's 'evaluating the viability of a negligence claim' against the Saskatchewan government, alleging it 'may have failed in its duty to protect the people and property of the north' by failing to act with sufficient resources and urgency. Procido founding partner Chad Eggerman told CTV News he has a family cabin in Narrow Hills Provincial Park, which was decimated by the Shoe Fire — a blaze that grew to be the province's largest. Chad Eggerman Procido LLP founding partner Chad Eggerman. (Stacey Hein / CTV News) 'It seemed like it wasn't really addressed very quickly, or at all, by the provincial government, who are responsible for forest fire fighting in northern Saskatchewan,' he said. 'And it got bigger, and bigger, and eventually it connected with another fire and became completely uncontrollable. The whole time I was watching it, it seemed like there was just no resources to contain or control it.' Eggerman says he felt for the firefighters stationed at the provincial fire base in Narrow Hills, just a few hundred metres from his cabin. 'I feel for them, because they were totally under resourced,' he said. 'They had no resources to fight any fires, so the folks that were in the forest fire fighting base just left, and the just burnt.' Eggerman says at that point it became clear to him there was 'a massive lack of resources' and insufficient planning in place. Procido says its early findings suggest only five of the province's 10 water bombers were operating during the crisis. The law firm alleges rural municipalities in the path of growing wildfires were unable to issue emergency alerts because no one with the local government had authority from the province to do so. It also pointed to statements from residents of East Trout Lake, who say they were told by the public safety agency they were in no immediate danger, when they knew the fire was fast approaching. East Trout Lake subsequently 'burnt to the ground,' says Procido. Procido says it's possible negligence from the Saskatchewan government may have also led to greater damages in Manitoba, particularly in the Flin Flon area and on Lake Athapapuskow. 'Would the fires have been contained and extinguished faster if First Nations located in Northern Saskatchewan had the authority and resources to undertake firefighting duties?' The law firm says the 'material failures of the provincial government … may constitute negligence and raise serious concerns about the government preparedness and ability to maintain public safety and order.' The list of affected parties is long, says Procido. The wildfires impacted property owners, First Nations who lost traditional harvesting lands, mining companies that suspended operations, trucking companies, tourism operators, and evacuees, who were unable to work while sheltered away from their homes and belongings. CTV News contacted the province to ask about the potential lawsuit, but it declined to comment. 'The Government of Saskatchewan has not been served with any claims related to this matter,' a spokesperson for the executive council said in an email. 'As this regards a hypothetical court matter, the province has no further comment to provide at this time.' In the meantime, Procido is holding a webinar on July 7 to make its case to prospective plaintiffs. It remains to be seen if a lawsuit will materialize. -With files from Stacey Hein
CBC
11-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Sask. cabin owners risk danger to save buildings from wildfire
A handful of cabin owners in Saskatchewan's Narrow Hills Provincial Park have chosen to stay behind to try to save their cabins from wildfire, despite the closure of the park due to severe danger from encroaching flames. Others from Ontario to B.C. have made similar choices this wildfire season.
CBC
31-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfires continue to burn large sections of northern Sask.
The wildfire situation in Saskatchewan remains serious, with dozens of fires still burning and new evacuations underway. The Shoe Fire, burning in the Narrow Hills and Lower Fishing Lake area, is the largest, covering more than 300,000 hectares.
National Post
30-05-2025
- Climate
- National Post
What you need to know about the Saskatchewan wildfires
Thousands of people in Saskatchewan have been forced to leave their homes and flee to nearby cities as massive wildfires have ravaged through communities and campgrounds, and blocked off highways for evacuation routes. Here's what we know as of Friday morning about the wildfires … Article content Article content Communities under evacuation orders include Pelican Narrows, Hall Lake, Brabant Lake, Canoe Lake, Lower Fishing Lake, Piprell Lake, East Trout Lake, Little Bear Lake and Whiteswan Bay. Additional communities also facing evacuation orders include Narrow Hills Provincial Park, the Resort division of Trout Lake, Smeaton, Choiceland, Love, Creighton, Sikachu Lake Clam bridge, and Flin Flon, Man. Article content Provincewide, Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency in its fight against the rampaging wildfires. The declaration by Premier Scott Moe came one day after his Manitoba counterpart Wab Kinew did the same. Article content Article content 'We do need some rainfall. We need that sooner rather than later, and in light of that not being in the forecast, we most certainly are putting in place every measure possible to prepare the province.' Article content Notable fires include the Shoe Lake fire in Narrow Hills provincial park, which combined with the Camp fire, approximately 140 kilometers northeast of Prince Albert. The fire, which orginated in early May, has grown to over 216,000 hectares. Article content The Pisew fire, located west of La Ronge., is growing out-of-control at over 55,873 hectares. The blaze is around 250 kilometres north of Prince Albert. Article content The Flin Flon fire, located on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border near Creighton, started at a landfill before crossing over the Manitoba border. It has grown to over 20,000 hectares. The area remains under a state of emergency with up to 125 firefighters deployed. Article content Located west of Denare Beach, and threatening the McIlveena mine, the Wolf fire has burned over 6,385 hectares. Article content Burning northeast of Pelican Narrows, Sask. 120 kilometres northwest of Creighton, the Pelican 2 fire has grown to over 2,000 hectares. Article content In the community of Weyakwin and Weyakwin Lake, located around 150 kilometres north of Prince Albert, the Ditch02 fire has burnt through over 1,250 hectares. The fire is classified as human-caused.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Wildfires force closure of 2 campgrounds in Narrow Hills Provincial Park
Closures will impact businesses that rely on summer tourism Two popular campgrounds in northern Saskatchewan will remain closed for the entire 2025 season after sustaining significant damage from wildfires. Saskatchewan Parks confirmed Tuesday that the Gem Lakes and Lost Echo campgrounds in Narrow Hills Provincial Park will not reopen this year. The park, located about 130 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert, was the site of an aggressive wildfire that grew to nearly 15,000 hectares at its peak. "It's still high risk," said Paul Johnson, assistant deputy minister with Saskatchewan Parks. "There still are fires burning in and around the park with lots of smoke. … It's still a difficult situation up and around Narrow Hills Provincial Park." While the rest of the park remains closed for now, officials say areas outside of the damaged campgrounds may reopen in a few weeks if conditions improve. Business owners hit hard The closure is a major blow to local businesses that rely on summer tourism. Shelly Lawrence, who owns Rainbow Lodge on nearby Piprell Lake, was forced to leave last Thursday. "It's already impacted our business quite a bit with having to cancel prior to the May long weekend," she said. "It's a huge loss for us." The Gem Lakes are a popular destination in Narrow Hills. Known for their hiking trails and camping, they attract thousands of visitors each summer. Image | Rainbow lodge Caption: Shelly Lawrence, owner of Rainbow Lodge, says the closure of the campgrounds will impact her business. (Submitted by Shelly Lawrence) Open Image in New Tab The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is asking people to stay away from the area, even as the immediate fire risk decreases. Officials say burned trees could fall without warning and the forest needs time to recover. Narrow Hills is one of several regions across the province facing wildfire challenges as warm, dry conditions continue. Fire bans remain in effect in many areas. Lawrence said that while she waits and hopes for a clear solution, she appreciates the work being done by firefighters. "Can't expect any more out of those workers," Lawrence said. "They're underpaid to risk their lives."
