REGINA – An independent firm will soon be named to do an after-action review of Saskatchewan’s wildfire response.
The province says in a statement that the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has closed the Request for Bids process for an independent after-action review on the 2025 wildfire season. The province says the SPSA is anticipating that selection of the third party reviewer will be announced soon and that the review process is anticipated to begin in the next few weeks. It will conclude before the 2026 wildfire season.
The province is calling this a “proactive” measure in response to a “unprecedented” wildfire season of over 500 fires — well above the five year average.
"The 2025 wildfire season deeply affected Saskatchewan families and communities," said Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod in a statement. "Considering the complexity, community impact and scope of the 2025 wildfire season, the SPSA issued a Request for Bids process to ensure an independent firm with significant experience in post-incident analysis is contracted. The review will focus on the SPSA's response, evacuation and recovery aspects of the wildfire season. We are taking meaningful action to learn from this year's wildfire season and ensure Saskatchewan people are safe and secure."
Meanwhile the opposition New Democrats held a news conference in Saskatoon today to demand a public inquiry into the entire summer wildfire response, led by an independent judge. The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for a comprehensive public inquiry led by an independent judge into the entire wildfire disaster that destroyed homes in the North, left evacuees stranded without supports and left major concerns about the Sask. Party government’s readiness for this fire season and those to come.
The NDP said this call is “amid ongoing questions about why the Sask. Party repeatedly refused assistance from the federal government and the military,” according to their statement. The NDP also raised concerns again about several water bombers that were grounded at the height of the situation.
“The people of the North deserve answers,” said Jordan McPhail, Cumberland MLA and NDP critic for Northern Affairs in a statement. “The questions keep mounting — as does the frustration. What’s clear is this was a monumental failure and people lost homes, livelihoods, and many wonder if things will ever go back to normal. That’s why we’re here today to call for a public inquiry to be launched that is entirely free of Sask. Party political interference. This should be led by an independent judge, people should be called on to testify and recommendations should be developed to ensure something like this never happens again.”
“We know the federal government was there and ready to help and the Sask. Party refused,” said Leroy Laliberte, Athabasca MLA and critic for First Nations and Metis Relations.
“This was a horrific summer for the people of the North. We know the Sask. Party is trying to cover up the depths of their failure but we will not let them. The Legislative session begins in one week and we will be in there on behalf of our constituents demanding a public inquiry so they can finally get the answers they deserve.”
