Wildfire Management

We rely on current daily information on fire activity in the province to implement decisions on strategies, objectives and goals.

Consultation and discussion documents for the proposed new legislation of The Wildfire Act (Saskatchewan)

The Ministry of Environment's goal is to reduce personal and property losses that result from wildfires. To achieve this, the ministry promotes awareness of fire safety and prevention.

The Prairie and Forest Fire Act states that burning permits are required from April 1 to October 31 of any given year and that if anyone is planning to burn grass in ditches and pastures, stubble, windrows or any other potentially dangerous burning they must obtain a free burning permit.

A fire ban issued by the Ministry of Environment is a Director's Order to restrict or eliminate the use of fire in areas of high fire danger. This is a tool to attempt to minimize the risk of accidental wildfires resulting from human activity. The Director's Order is a temporary law in effect until it is revoked when the wildfire danger has sufficiently lowered.

The Wildfire Management Strategy Zones direct the way the province responds to wildfires. Many factors are considered when deciding what actions to take on wildfires. The Ministry of Environment believes that healthy, vibrant forests that are naturally renewed by fire or through forest harvest that mimics natural fire, are in the best interest of northern residents, businesses and the province.

The Ministry of Environment has established weather and observation towers at strategic locations across the  province to provide accurate weather for fire suppression crews and to detect/spot fire starts early for initial attack by fire crews.

Forest Protection Areas have been established across the Province of Saskatchewan to be operationally more effective when fighting wildfire. Within each of these Forest Protection Areas operates Forest Protection Offices with Forest Protection Officers and Forest Protection Fire Crews.

Aviation Operations is responsible to deliver a safe, efficient and cost effective aviation program that meets Wildfire Management Branches needs as well as providing an Air Attack Program that meets national standards.

Interested in employment in the firefighting field? Information on training requirements, opportunities and job opportunities with the provincial wildfire program can be found here.

This link will provide maps of past fires dating as far back as 1945.

Municipalities and industry will find information that is specific to their jurisdictions and responsibilities in this link.