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Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe faces call to bring in military as wildfires rage
Published Jun 05, 2025 • 4 minute read Fire crews near the northern community of Weyakwin, Sask., were doing their best to control wildfires in the area on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Photo by Kayle Neis / Regina Leader-Post REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is resisting an Opposition call to bring in the military to combat wildfires that have forced thousands from their homes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In a statement Thursday, Moe's office said they recognize the Canadian Armed Forces can play a key role in specific areas, such as aerial evacuations, but said that's not what Saskatchewan needs right now. 'Currently, Saskatchewan's greatest areas of need are for water bombers and firefighting resources, which the military is not able to provide,' it said. His office noted it is keeping in touch with the federal government and is getting help from other provinces to fight the fires, along with supports from the Canadian Red Cross. Marshals are patrolling evacuated communities to prevent looting. Earlier Thursday, the Opposition NDP called on Moe to call in the military, as has been done in Manitoba. 'Every available resource in our country must be deployed to fight these fires. We cannot afford to leave help on the table,' NDP Leader Carla Beck wrote in a letter to Moe. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Saskatchewan is battling 25 active fires and estimates 400 structures have burned. Steve Roberts, with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, said there has been little rain for a month, and rain is what's needed. 'Weather continues to be problematic,' Roberts told an online news conference Thursday. 'Rain will be a big turning point for these fires but until then we're dug in doing the best we can.' More than 30,000 people in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been forced to flee their homes ahead of scores of wildfires in recent days, more than 18,000 from Manitoba alone. Smoke from the Prairie wildfires has drifted as far east as Newfoundland and Labrador, and as far south as Florida in recent days, prompting health warnings in some regions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The major evacuation zones are in and around La Ronge, Sask., where 7,000 have been forced out, and in the city of Flin Flon, Man., where all 5,000 city residents along with another thousand in the surrounding vicinity have had to leave. The Canadian Red Cross set up an emergency evacuation centre in Regina providing meals and a place to stay. Darin Cook was waiting outside the centre with his family for a taxi to a hotel. He said they took a bus Thursday at midnight from Stanley Mission, northeast of La Ronge. 'There were fires all along the highway, a lot of hotspots all over,' he said. 'Everyone was in a rush (to get out).' Fred Cook, also from Stanley Mission, said it was extremely smoky. He's planning to stay with his daughter in Regina, he added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's pretty hard for the kids (to leave), especially the babies,' he said. The fires have also displaced about 6,700 in the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in north-central Manitoba. Pimicikamak Chief David Monias said additional help is coming to his community after he joined other First Nations leaders in calling for adequate equipment and resources. Monias said in a post on social media a crew of 30 to 35 structural firefighters, along with six pumpers, tankers and command teams, are being deployed to the community. Manitoba has 27 active wildfires, a third of which are out of control. Provincial officials said weather and firefighters from Manitoba and elsewhere are keeping the fires from overrunning communities for now. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The weather over the last couple of days has improved our ability to get some pretty good progress done on these fires,' said Kristin Hayward with the Manitoba Wildfire Service. 'We have had cooler temperatures, a little bit higher humidity (and) winds generally have been low to moderate. We are expecting that general trend to continue.' In Winnipeg, police say they will help out to protect evacuees who are unfamiliar with large urban centres and could be prey for exploiters or scammers. The leader of the organization that represents the northern First Nations that have been evacuated said some of the main concerns are around drug and human trafficking and sexual violence. 'This is proactive effort and not reacting until after it happens. This is making that step to make sure our people are protected,' said Grand Chief Garrison Settee of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Manitoba and Saskatchewan declared states of emergency last week to allow various levels of government to co-ordinate resources and support. In northern Alberta on Thursday, the approximately 1,300 residents of the town of Swan Hills were allowed to return to their homes about a week after fleeing from a wildfire. But about 340 kilometres west in the County of Grande Prairie, people were ordered out. Earlier this week, officials with the Municipal District of Opportunity, which covers a dozen small rural communities in northern Alberta, confirmed that roughly half of the structures in Chipewyan Lake had been destroyed by a wildfire on the weekend. Marcel Auger, reeve of the district, said on social media Tuesday that 38 structures were destroyed, including the community health centre, water treatment plant and homes. Chipewyan Lake has 75 people. Liam Buchart, a fire weather specialist with Natural Resources Canada, says wildfires on the Prairies became severe more quickly than normal this week. 'The second half of May dried out slightly earlier than normal across a lot of the Prairies,' he said. 'We're at our second-largest area burned for this time of year in the last decade at least.' — With files from Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg and Jack Farrell and Fakiha Baig in Edmonton World Olympics Toronto & GTA Music Columnists
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Climate
- See - Sada Elbalad
Wildfires in Canada Destroy 400 Homes, Force Thousands to Evacuate
Israa Farhan Massive wildfires have ravaged Canada's Saskatchewan province, destroying more than 400 homes and buildings and forcing the evacuation of over 9,000 residents. As flames continue to spread rapidly, authorities warn the number of evacuees could rise sharply in the coming days. According to the Regina Leader-Post on 30 May, the provincial government declared a state of emergency as wildfires burned through communities with alarming speed. At the time, more than 8,000 people had been ordered to evacuate. Premier Scott Moe later stated that the total number of displaced residents could climb to 15,000. Public Safety Agency data shows 21 active wildfires currently burning in Saskatchewan, with eight of them classified as out of control. Emergency crews are working around the clock to contain the flames and provide support to affected communities. Canada's wildfire season began unusually early this year, with the first fires recorded on 3 May in Alberta. Since then, wildfires have spread rapidly across the country, impacting several provinces. One of the most severe blazes struck northwest Manitoba on 13 May, scorching approximately 42,000 hectares of land. Multiple Canadian provinces continue to battle sporadic wildfires, with extreme weather conditions and dry terrain exacerbating the situation. Environmental experts warn that the combination of rising temperatures, dry conditions, and wind patterns is contributing to the scale and intensity of the wildfires. The destruction has not only displaced thousands but also raised concerns about air quality and long-term ecological impact. Officials are urging residents in high-risk areas to remain alert, follow evacuation orders promptly, and prepare emergency kits. Provincial and federal teams are coordinating efforts to manage resources and support communities affected by the fires. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
About 15,000 have fled Saskatchewan wildfires and more coming: Premier Moe
Published Jun 03, 2025 • 1 minute read Fire crews near the northern community of Weyakwin, Sask., were doing their best to control wildfires in the area on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Photo by Kayle Neis / Regina Leader-Post PRINCE ALBERT — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says upwards of 15,000 people across his province have fled encroaching wildfires and more are likely in the coming days. Moe says the biggest destruction has been in places like the northern village of Denare Beach, where some family homes have been lost. He says the province is facing some challenging days ahead due to a lack of rain in the forecast. An evacuation order was handed down Monday for about 7,000 in the town of La Ronge, nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Officials said fire breached the airport at the La Ronge airport. About 8,000 residents had already been displaced by fires in the province. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto & GTA Other Sports Toronto & GTA Ontario Toronto & GTA
Toronto Sun
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Crews brace for more hot, dry temperatures in fight against Prairie wildfires
Published May 30, 2025 • 1 minute read A closed road sign sits at a roadblock on Highway 106 as a barrier to the Shoe wildfire on Thursday, May 29, 2025 near Smeaton, Sask. Photo by KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post Crews will face hot, dry conditions with the odd chance of rain today as they try to put down wildfires that have forced thousands out of their homes from Alberta to Manitoba. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Saskatchewan and Manitoba have declared provincewide states of emergency to deal with the fires, most of which are scorching pockets of rural communities in remote northern regions. Manitoba has seen 17,000 residents forced out in recent days, including 6,000 in and around the northwest city of Flin Flon. In Saskatchewan, more than 4,000 people have fled the flames, including more than 2,000 in Pelican Narrows. Alberta, which has taken the brunt of wildfire damage in recent years, has been comparatively better off. But the 900 residents of Chateh in the northwestern corner of the province have been forced out by a wildfire that's burning about 10 kilometres away from the community. Crime World Sunshine Girls Olympics Toronto Raptors
CBC
03-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
What does the federal result mean here?
Saskatchewan will have an MP for the first time in more than 5 years. The Conservatives won the 13 other seats in the province. Our weekly political panel breaks down the election and the reaction from the legislature. This week's panel featured Regina Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk, Canadian Press reporter Jeremy Simes and Morning Edition host Adam Hunter.
