(Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10) PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. The Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN), and Montreal Lake Cree Nation (MLCN) have declared a Joint State of Emergency in response to the rapidly escalating wildfire threat that is impacting multiple communities across northeast Saskatchewan.
Wildfires, now categorized as Class 5 and 6, have grown to over 75,000 hectares in size and continue to spread due to dry conditions and shifting winds. Several key communities—including Pelican Narrows, Denare Beach, Hall Lake, Southend, and Montreal Lake—are under threat, with evacuation orders either in place or imminent.
Evacuation routes have been cut off, including Hanson Lake Road and Highway 2, leaving some communities boxed in by fire and smoke. Emergency teams have been forced to evacuate people by boat and helicopter in isolated areas like Morning Lake and Brabant Lake.
Despite the severity of the situation, local First Nations leaders are expressing deep concern over critical shortages in firefighting resources, personnel, and air support. The declaration demands immediate action from both provincial and federal governments, including:
· The deployment of additional firefighters, including Type 3 personnel.
· The immediate dispatch of water bombers and air support to northern Saskatchewan.
· Fair and equitable distribution of emergency resources to First Nations communities.
· Emergency accommodations for evacuees and incoming response crews.
· Direct meetings with Premier Scott Moe, federal Ministers, and Members of Parliament.
Quotes:
“The wildfire threatening Hall Lake and surrounding areas has grown rapidly and dangerously—over 75,000 hectares in size, with extreme fire behavior. We’ve done everything we can locally—evacuations, back burns, safety planning—but the situation is beyond what we can handle alone. This joint declaration is about making sure our communities get the support they urgently need.”
-Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
“We’ve already seen over 5,500 of our members evacuated, and the situation is changing by the hour. With wildfires forcing full evacuations in Denare Beach and Pelican Narrows—and thousands more at risk—we are facing an escalating crisis. Many of our communities are becoming boxed in due to road closures and limited evacuation routes. We are doing everything possible on the ground, but this situation is beyond our capacity to manage alone.”
-Chief Peter A. Beatty of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
“These wildfires are pushing our communities to the edge, and the situation is growing more serious by the hour. We’re seeing the toll this is taking—on our families, on our health, and on our homelands. This joint declaration reflects our urgency and our unity. We are asking for timely and coordinated action so that our Nations can continue to protect our people with the full backing and partnership of government.”
-Chief Joyce McLeod-Naytowhow of Montreal Lake Cree Nation
-Chief Joyce McLeod-Naytowhow of Montreal Lake Cree Nation
“We are urgently calling on Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Mark Carney to deploy more firefighting personnel, increase air support—including water bombers—and ensure emergency accommodations for evacuees. This is the time for real partnership and immediate action.”
-Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council
-Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council
“First Nations lives matter. We stand in full support of this joint declaration and demand a just and immediate response.”
-Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
-Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
The three Nations are coordinating with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), Indigenous Services Canada, Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management (SFNEM), the Canadian Red Cross and other agencies and municipalities to respond as effectively as possible. However, the need for urgent and coordinated government support is clear.
A general call-out for trained Type 3 firefighters is included in the declaration. Individuals interested in assisting are encouraged to contact their local Nation or emergency coordinator.
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Media enquiries may be directed to:
Tina Pelletier
Communications Consultant
Cell: 306-941-7120
Email: tpelletier@pagc.net
Communications Consultant
Cell: 306-941-7120
Email: tpelletier@pagc.net
