Latest news with #TimMcLeod
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Saskatchewan Opposition says too many water bombers grounded during wildfires
REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's government needs to explain why records show almost half the water bomber fleet has been grounded during recent wildfires, the Opposition NDP said Wednesday. NDP Leader Carla Beck said publicly available flight data shows four of 10 tankers have been grounded for almost a year -- and this is on top of a new water bomber that the province says has not been used due to a lack of pilots. "It's absolutely unacceptable that nearly half our water bombers were sitting idle during the worst wildfire season in a decade,' Beck said in a news release. 'We need a government that's focused on the future and that includes protecting our communities as best we can.' Saskatchewan has been experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years. Fires forced more than 10,000 residents from their homes, although many are able to go back as rain and cooler temperatures have helped crews contain the blazes. Earlier this week, the province said a new water bomber it received in late May was not used because there were no trained pilots to fly it. The plane was grounded at the air base in La Ronge. Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod had said that pilots started training on the plane but had to change course and fight the fires. Steve Roberts, with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, had also said he tried to find qualified pilots to fly the new plane, but no one was available. As of Wednesday, the agency has reported 17 active wildfires, including four that were not contained. It said there were five communities that remain evacuated. Saskatchewan has rescinded a fire ban for the northern part of the province. Manitoba has also been hit hard by wildfires, forcing 21,000 from their homes, mainly in the north and north-central regions. Pimicikamak Cree Nation saw 7,000 forced out but they are now allowed to go back. Flights were bringing people back from Winnipeg while buses were chartered for those who had been taken to Thompson. There was still no word on when the 5,000 residents of Flin Flon might be allowed to return. A fire nearby remained out of control and officials said there were hot spots not far from the community. In the south, the Manitoba government reopened the south part of Nopiming Provincial Park for permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators. But two popular campgrounds in the area are to remain closed for at least another eight days. -- with files from Steve Lambert in Winnipeg This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025. Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
LIVE @ 1:30: Sask. to provide wildfire response update
Volunteer firefighters from Davidson, Sask., load up their truck at the Provincial Wildfire Center in Prince Albert, Sask., Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The fire fighters are on their way to Weyakwin. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) will be providing another update regarding the province's wildfire response Wednesday afternoon at 1:30. The update can be watched live at the top of this article. On Tuesday, the SPSA said that all evacuations had ended except for five communities. Creighton, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, Whelan Bay and priority individuals in Cumberland House remain evacuated. As of 10:30 Wednesday morning, the SPSA's website said 16 wildfires were burning in the province with three not contained. So far in 2025, the province has seen 261 wildfires, well above the five-year average of 157. The SPSA has confirmed that 350 values have been lost, with the number expected to climb past 500 once more assessments are completed. On Wednesday morning Saskatchewan's Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Tim McLeod said that as many as 30 individuals are currently suspected of intentional arson regarding wildfires, adding that more charges are expected to be laid. The SPSA has said that the majority of wildfires this season have been accidentally started by humans, but that at least 30 were believed to have been ste intentionally. RCMP have charged two individuals with arson regarding the Ditch02 fire near Weyakwin. More to come…
CTV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Sask. minister says as many as 30 people under investigation for arson related to wildfires
Sask. Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod says the opposition is playing politics and spreading misinformation when it comes to use of new planes in the firefight Saskatchewan's Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety says that as many as 30 individuals are being investigated regarding intentional arson related to wildfires in the province this year. Tim McLeod said that investigations remain ongoing and he expects police to announce more charges. So far, two arson charges have been laid by RCMP regarding the Ditch02 fire near Weyakwin which forced multiple evacuations. 'I know that there are many others that are being investigated, last I heard in the neighbourhood of 30 individuals are suspected of and being investigated for intentional arson and that is just an absolute shame when you think about the devastation that these fires cause,' McLeod said during an interview with CTV Morning Live Saskatchewan on Wednesday. According to McLeod, it's the province's full belief that police investigations will lead to full prosecutions for people found to be responsible for intentionally starting wildfires. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has confirmed that 350 values have been lost in wildfires to date, with the number expected to exceed 500 following more investigations that includes assessing the community of Denare Beach later this week. Last week the SPSA said that many of the wildfires in Saskatchewan this year were set accidentally by humans, but that they believed at least 30 were intentionally set. So far in 2025 the province has seen 261 wildfires, well above the five-year average of 157. Currently there are 17 active wildfires, three are considered not contained. However, recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have allowed crews to take a more offensive approach to fighting wildfires and fire growth has been minimal for the better part of two weeks. All but five evacuations have ended in the province. According to the SPSA, Creighton, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, Whelan Bay and priority individuals in Cumberland House remain evacuated. A provincial fire ban was also lifted this week as well as a ban on ATV and UTV vehicles. The province will provide an update regarding the current wildfire situation at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Wildfire evacuees continue returning home in Manitoba, Saskatchewan
WINNIPEG - Wildfire evacuees continued to make their way home in some Manitoba communities Tuesday, but there were hurdles. Tataskweyak Cree Nation lifted its evacuation order Monday evening, then told the community's 2,400 residents Tuesday morning the return was being delayed due to problems with the water system. 'Water tests came back (with) high aluminum. The pipes and reservoir will need to be cleaned and samples taken after the cleaning,' said a message posted on the chief and council's Facebook page. Residents in Flin Flon, one of the largest communities evacuated, were still waiting for the fire threat to diminish before they could be allowed to return. An out-of-control fire covering roughly 3,700 square kilometres continued to burn north and east of the city of 5,000 people. Manitoba's latest report said crews were battling 18 fires, eight of which were out of control. At the peak of evacuations, about 21,000 residents were out of their homes, putting pressure on the province's supply of hotel rooms and prompting Premier Wab Kinew's government to encourage tourists to reconsider Manitoba travel plans. A third of those evacuees came from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in the north-central region. They have started returning home, as are residents in Snow Lake, Sherridon and Herb Lake Landing. Rain and cooler temperatures have brought relief to both Manitoba and Saskatchewan in recent days, allowing fire bans to be reduced and more evacuees to go home. In Saskatchewan, the province reported 13 active fires with three out of control. Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said Monday that people across 34 communities were in the process of returning. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. — With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
Wildfire evacuees continue returning home in Manitoba, Saskatchewan
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Wildfire evacuees continued to make their way home in some Manitoba communities Tuesday, but there were hurdles. Tataskweyak Cree Nation lifted its evacuation order Monday evening, then told the community's 2,400 residents Tuesday morning the return was being delayed due to problems with the water system. 'Water tests came back (with) high aluminum. The pipes and reservoir will need to be cleaned and samples taken after the cleaning,' said a message posted on the chief and council's Facebook page. Residents in Flin Flon, one of the largest communities evacuated, were still waiting for the fire threat to diminish before they could be allowed to return. An out-of-control fire covering roughly 3,700 square kilometres continued to burn north and east of the city of 5,000 people. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Manitoba's latest report said crews were battling 18 fires, eight of which were out of control. Story continues below advertisement At the peak of evacuations, about 21,000 residents were out of their homes, putting pressure on the province's supply of hotel rooms and prompting Premier Wab Kinew's government to encourage tourists to reconsider Manitoba travel plans. A third of those evacuees came from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in the north-central region. They have started returning home, as are residents in Snow Lake, Sherridon and Herb Lake Landing. Rain and cooler temperatures have brought relief to both Manitoba and Saskatchewan in recent days, allowing fire bans to be reduced and more evacuees to go home. In Saskatchewan, the province reported 13 active fires with three out of control. Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said Monday that people across 34 communities were in the process of returning.
