Latest news with #PeterBallantyneCreeNation
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘Turning a corner': Some Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees returning home after rain-filled weekend aids firefighting
People stop along a highway as a large active wildfire fills the sky with smoke in the background in the La Ronge, Sask., area in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, *MANDATORY CREDIT* Residents of Pelican Narrows, Weyakwin and other northern Saskatchewan communities have been given the green light to return to their homes – as the province's state of emergency due to wildfires enters its 12th day. Speaking to reporters Monday, Minister of Public Safety Tim McLeod said repatriation efforts are moving along following a weekend of rainfall which offered a much-needed reprieve for fire crews. The evacuation order for Weyakwin has been lifted. At the same time, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation announced Sunday that residents could begin returning to the community. Additionally, Foran Mining facilities southwest of Creighton are no longer considered under threat. McLeod says the company is anticipating a full return to its mine in the area by Friday. 'We're optimistic that more communities will indeed be returning home in the days and weeks ahead, and we look forward to that progress,' he said. Weyakwin, located 140 kilometres north of Prince Albert, was originally evacuated on May 31 due to the Ditch02 Fire. Saskatchewan RCMP have charged two suspects with arson in connection to that wildfire. McLeod says the province has determined most of the wildfires currently burning out of control were caused by human activity. 'We know that virtually all, if not all, of the forest fires in Saskatchewan were human caused, and unfortunately, some of those were intentionally caused by humans,' he said. There are 25 active wildfires in Saskatchewan as of Monday – with 256 recorded so far this year – smashing the five-year average of 145 by June 9. The SPSA has confirmed 295 structures have been damaged or destroyed due to wildfires this season. As of Monday, a total of 33 communities are on evacuation notice. According to the province, 10,262 people are being supported by the Canadian Red Cross – while 860 are being supported by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). An unknown number of residents have self-evacuated and are receiving intermittent supports while staying with family or friends. Federal support Responding to questions regarding federal aid – McLeod says the province is in constant communication with the federal government. 'This isn't a situation where we're not asking for assistance or they're not offering assistance,' he explained. 'It's simply a situation where the needs that we have to align with what they're offering and we continue to have those conversations daily to find that alignment.' McLeod says the province has requested two base camps from the federal government - in addition to two tents for sheltering up to 200 people. 'Those base camps would be established for working crews as they go back into the communities they're rebuilding,' he added. 'We're now turning a corner, I would say, and optimistic. Still much work to be done, but preparing for that next phase, making sure that we are ahead of the cleanup efforts and the rebuilding efforts that we know are to come with that.' Wildfires by the numbers According to the SPSA's Vice President of Operations Steve Roberts, several fires have merged. Such is the case with the Wolf, Club and Pelican2 Fires near Creighton and the Ditch02 and Shoe Fires north of Prince Albert. Roberts says that the agency will continue referring to several of the fires by their current names due to the fact that the crews managing them are in seperate regions of the province. 'In some cases where the fires have merged, we've actually turned them into one fire, such as the Shoe Fire,' he explained. 'But there's others ... such as the Ditch Fire and the Shoe Fire that we do not want to merge together because of logistical reasons ... so we've kept them separate, even though their borders touch at some point.' Shoe Fire Remaining the largest blaze in the province, the Shoe Fire has surpassed an estimated 500,000 hectares. Highways 912 and 913 have remained closed due to the blaze. About 22 millimetres of rain fell on parts of the Shoe Fire over the weekend, which aided firefighting efforts. JaySmith Fire The JaySmith Fire has grown to 139,000 hectares, No highways are currently affected. Ditch02 Fire Highway 969 remains closed due to the Ditch Fire, which has grown to 153,000 hectares. The village of Weyakwin, originally evacuated due to the Ditch Fire, is now seeing residents return. Pisew Fire The Pisew Fire, which has threatened the La Ronge area, is currently estimated at 181,000 hectares. Highway 2 north and Highway 102 north near La Ronge have been intermittently closed. Wolf Fire The Wolf Fire, located west of Denare Beach, is estimated to cover 130,000 hectares. Highway 167, 106 and the Highway 135 junction are closed due to the flames. Pelican2 Fire The Pelican2 Fire, located north of Pelican Narrows, is estimated to be 34,000 hectares. Access to Highway 135 has been restored - and residents are in the process of returning. Club Fire Located over the Saskatchewan and Manitoba border near Creighton and Flin Flon, 17,000 hectares fall within Saskatchewan. The fire totals 60,000 hectares.
Cision Canada
09-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Foran Announces Staged Return to McIlvenna Bay Project Site
VANCOUVER, BC, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Foran Mining Corporation (TSX: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, following consultation with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency ("SPSA") and internal subject matter experts, it has been determined that the McIlvenna Bay Project site (the "Project") is no longer under threat from regional wildfires. As a result, Foran has begun a staged and controlled repatriation of personnel to site, proactively managing re-entry safely and responsibly. A full return to site is expected by Friday, June 13, 2025, positioning the Project for a well-coordinated ramp-up of construction activities. Foran Executive Chairman & CEO Dan Myerson stated, " Wildfires are an unfortunate reality in many remote parts of Canada, and this season has brought particular hardship across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. While we are fortunate that the McIlvenna Bay Project remains intact and that our personnel can now begin returning safely, we recognize the broader toll these fires are taking. Communities, families, and colleagues, especially within the local Indigenous Nations with whom we share longstanding and meaningful relationships, are facing profound challenges. At Foran, we are keeping all those affected in our thoughts and are committed to doing our part in the collective recovery. As we move forward, our focus remains on supporting a safe, respectful, and resilient return to construction." Aligned with Foran's commitment to responsible resource development and community stewardship, the Company is taking active measures to support both employees and local residents impacted by the wildfires: Launched a relief fund for Foran employees affected by the wildfires; Organizing donations of clothing and essential supplies for evacuated members of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN); Implementation of comprehensive safeguarding measures to protect Foran's people and assets; and Continuing direct engagement and support for local emergency response and recovery efforts. Foran encourages those wishing to contribute to wildfire relief to support the following initiatives: Red Cross: Saskatchewan and Manitoba Wildfire Response – donations matched 2:1 by the federal and provincial governments Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Wildfire Relief GoFundMe – supporting direct aid to affected Indigenous communities About Foran Mining Foran Mining is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, committed to supporting a greener future and, empowering communities while creating value for our stakeholders. The McIlvenna Bay project is located entirely within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, comprises the infrastructure and works related to development activities of the Company, and hosts the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and Tesla Zone. The Company also owns the Bigstone Deposit, a resource-development stage deposit located 25 km southwest of the McIlvenna Bay Property. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VHMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65 km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran's ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225 km. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is the largest undeveloped VHMS deposit in the region. The Company filed its NI 43-101 compliant 2025 Technical Report on the McIlvenna Bay Project, Saskatchewan, Canada (the "2025 Technical Report") on March 12, 2025, with an effective date and report date of March 12, 2025, outlining a mineral resource in respect of the McIlvenna Bay Deposit estimated at 38.6 Mt grading 2.02% CuEq in the Indicated category and an additional 4.5 Mt grading 1.71% CuEq in the Inferred category. Investors are encouraged to consult the full text of the 2025 Technical Report which is available on SEDAR+ at under the Company's profile. The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF". CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or to the future performance of Foran Mining Corporation and reflect management's expectations and assumptions as of the date hereof or as of the date of such forward looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited, statements regarding our ability to return our personnel to the Project site by June 13, 2025, and ramp-up our construction activities; our commitment to assist with recovery activities in connection with wildfires; our commitment to support a greener future, empower communities and create value for our stakeholders; expectations regarding our development and advanced exploration activities; and expectations, assumptions and targets in respect of our 2025 Technical Report. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements contained in this news release. These factors include management's belief or expectations relating to the following and, in certain cases, management's response with regard to the following: risks related to wildfires and other extreme weather events; the Company's reliance on the McIlvenna Bay Property; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed in this press release are not exhaustive. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Additional information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at
CBC
06-06-2025
- CBC
'Do we have a house?' Caregivers working to make sure kids are occupied, calm during wildfire evacuations
Social Sharing As wildfires continue to displace families from northern towns and First Nations communities, evacuees are finding temporary refuge and support in Saskatchewan cities — which includes activities to keep their kids occupied, and not worrying about the fires threatening their homes. Sarah Swan, who evacuated from Pelican Narrows, about 500 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, is in a Saskatoon hotel with her husband and five kids. "It is stressful because we're not used to being in one little room — like, they're used to being in a house, and you could just go outside the house and play, but here you can't go outside because there's streets and traffic," Swan said. "I just tell them that it's only temporary, we'll go back home, because my daughter's like, 'Do we have a house?' — thinking there was fire in our community, and I said yes," Swan said. She said her children prefer speaking Cree and don't feel that comfortable talking with strangers in a city. Swan is the Saskatoon co-ordinator for evacuees from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. In addition to helping with the needs of families scattered around at different hotels, she oversees a team of support staff who are organizing transportation for families from hotels to activities, including bouncy castles, laser tag, movies, concerts and the Saskatchewan Roughriders home opener. With no school and children's lives turned upside down, Swan said giving them something positive to focus on is important. "Even just going for ice cream, like soft ice cream, because we don't have that back home. So they're always asking for ice cream," Swan said. "And just driving around. Even just looking at the city, because of how big it is. They're amazed." Elizabeth Michel, who has worked at the school in Pelican Narrows for 31 years and is also a band councillor, is acting as a team leader at the Four Points by Sheraton, a hotel where many families are being housed. She's also caring for her seven-year-old granddaughter, Markaylee. On Wednesday, she went out to get craft supplies for the children. Her granddaughter is excited to get to do all of these activities, but "at night, she gets a little bit lonely," said Michel. "They've had activities for them throughout the week," Michel said. "At least every other day they take them to the zoo, they take them to the movies, they take them swimming or to the bouncy castles." There are also parks to go to, "just to keep them busy, just to keep them occupied so they're not lonely or bored," said Michel. 'Parents, take a break' A Facebook page that's being used to invite families to activities includes information on free tickets to various events. The Children's Festival of Saskatchewan, which is happening in Saskatoon this week, has donated 250 tickets to people who have had to leave their homes because of the wildfires. On Thursday, one post said: "Parents, take a break. We've got you!" It invited people to drop their children off at a Saskatoon hotel conference room for play time. "We'll keep them busy with crafts, fun and kindness while you take care of you," it promised. Rosann Bear accepted an offer to take her children to a free concert at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm. She relocated her son with special needs and medically-fragile daughter from Pelican Narrows to Saskatoon more than a week ago because the smoke was dangerous for her six-year-old daughter, who has lung disease. "This ain't our first rodeo," Bear said, noting they were evacuated due to wildfires last summer as well. "It is hard not being in our own comfort zone, but we're getting through it with all the help," she said. "I'm a little stressed, but I'm doing OK. I got it. I got this. Moms do that." Her son, Isaac Junior, popped his head up to the microphone to add: "I miss home." Sask. wildfire evacuee watched home burn in real time on security cameras 16 hours ago Duration 8:54 Cyndi Pedwell, who evacuated Denare Beach, Sask., and lost her home to the flames, says the wildfire devastated the bottom half of her community. Pedwell says that officials didn't act fast enough, adding 'I feel like we were neglected.'
Globe and Mail
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Saskatchewan issues evacuation order for town of La Ronge as wildfire breaches airport
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says the northern town of La Ronge has ordered an evacuation due to a wildfire that has breached the airport. It says the fire is fast moving and that people in the town, as well as anyone within 20 kilometres, including nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, must leave immediately. The agency says anyone who can self-evacuate and find their own accommodation must use Highway 2 and register at the Days Inn in Prince Albert, about 240 kilometres to the south. Wildfire smoke map: Which parts of Canada are under air quality warnings? Others who need transportation are being directed to the JRMCC Centre in La Ronge. La Ronge has a population of about 2,500. As of Monday, 18 fires were burning in Saskatchewan, with seven of them not contained. Evacuation orders are already in effect for several other northern communities in the province, including Pelican Narrows, East Trout Lake and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
CBC
01-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Quick-moving wildfires force more evacuations in northern Saskatchewan
Social Sharing More people may need to flee their homes in Saskatchewan on Sunday, as quickly moving fires threaten more communities. "We evacuated Sturgeon Landing and maybe another community today," Premier Scott Moe told CBC's Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday morning. "We still do have room in hotels across the province, but those are filling as we go through the days without a change in weather — so it's going to have to be support and all hands on deck working closely with communities," he said. Sturgeon Landing is part of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, in the province's northeast. WATCH | Sask. premier says resources are stretched as wildfires rage: Sask. premier says resources are stretched as wildfires rage 22 hours ago Duration 2:11 At a news conference on Saturday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the province is 'using all the resources we can' as a spate of wildfires have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. 'We cannot manage and handle a single other fire,' he said. Timber Bay evacuation ordered The Northern Hamlet of Timber Bay issued an alert Sunday morning that residents must begin evacuating immediately. A nearby wildfire is fast-moving and threatening the community, the alert said. The community is on the east shore of Montreal Lake, north of Prince Albert. It advised people to self-evacuate using highways 969 and 2, and to go to the Meridian Inn and Suites in Regina. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency "will be there to welcome you," the alert said. Pre-evacuation for Molanosa Montreal Lake Cree Nation has declared a pre-evacuation notice for people in Molanosa, a small, isolated community about 150 kilometres north of Prince Albert. The First Nation said the alert is due to high winds from the west that were expected to cause heavy smoke and possibly push a wildfire in the region closer to Molanosa. The Ditch02 fire is burning west of Molanosa. Any community member who chooses to leave at this point is urged to go to the Montreal Lake Child and Family Services building, the designated meeting point and command centre. The band said evacuees have to go there to receive services. Cabin burned down Geoffrey Bird from Montreal Lake Cree Nation was part of the volunteer firefighting team that stayed back in the community in 2015 when a wildfire forced thousands to flee for a long time. It's déjà vu for him as he waits for orders from the authorities. "My cabins burned down on East Road," he said. "That's towards Candle Lake.…That's where my mom had built a cabin, and I inherited that cabin. I haven't gone to see it yet," he said. Bird said that no one is allowed to go to that area right now as it is too dangerous. Up-to-date info on active fires, smoke and related topics is available at these sources:
