SASKATOON — Dustin Trembley said he and the other Denare Beach residents have learned a lesson after the devastation they experienced during last year’s wildfire season, adding that he believes they are now better prepared. However, they continue to call on the government to expect the worst.
Trembley, who joined Saskatchewan NDP Deputy Leader Vicki Mowat and Athabasca MLA Leroy Laliberte in a press conference on Friday, April 10, said that what happened last year caused them to suffer from post-traumatic stress, which they now experience heading into the 2026 wildfire season.
“I have bought my own sprinkler system, and I'm going to run a thousand feet of hose out to the lake because I'm that paranoid, even though there's really nothing to burn, just sand, around my place right now,” said Trembley, whose home was among the over 400 structures destroyed.
“But you never know the ember fires. As far as the buildings, I have heard there are possibly 41 places and lots for sale. They have taken the buyout and are gone because of the anxiety, the mental health, so many people have been sick over this. People have passed away due to stress issues. It's awful.”
He added that the elderly were among the vulnerable groups gravely affected by the wildfires, as they joined others, like his family, who lost their property and were displaced. He hopes this will never happen to them or anyone again.
The upcoming wildfire season is still a big concern for Trembley, causing his paranoia, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia. He, as a taxpayer, again called on the provincial government to put out a clear-cut plan for wildfires that start during the summer months, and be transparent on the MNP report’s results.
“It's just the minimum that they could do. I don't understand why they just want to leave us in the dark. There's no transparency. Everybody deserves better, and I really wish for change. We should keep everybody in the loop here when it comes to emergency scenarios,” said Trembley.
NDP calls for accountability
Mowat and Laliberte echoed Trembley’s calls for the provincial government to release a long-promised report into last year’s devastating fires, as families affected by the devastating wildfires in Northern Saskatchewan are still waiting for answers.
Mowat said the lack of transparency is leaving communities unprepared as another season looms, and Northern residents and those in the province’s high-risk regions deserve clarity. The report was commissioned to review the 2025 wildfire response and was supposed to be released early this year.
“We’re calling on the government to release the long-promised MNP report immediately. We are weeks away from another wildfire season, and families like Dustin’s are still left without answers about what went wrong and how it will be fixed,” said Mowat, adding that the report was due in February.
“People expect openness and leadership, especially when it comes to public safety. The time for excuses has passed; release the report now. The government’s refusal to release this report undermines public trust and leaves municipalities, first responders and families without the information they need to prepare.”
Laliberte added that the delay is also prolonging the trauma experienced by families who lost homes and communities in last year’s fires, raising additional concerns about the province’s readiness, pointing to reports that firefighting resources may not be fully operational.
“Another thing that leaves families without is closure. So many families like Dustin’s have lost everything, and they shouldn’t have to wait this long for answers. There are already questions about preparedness,” said Laliberte.
“We’re hearing that not all water bombers will be in working condition by the start of the season, and some wildfire victims are still displaced in hotels months later. We need a real plan, so people like Dustin and his family never have to go through something like this again.”
Laliberte said the Wildfire Strategy Act, legislation introduced by the opposition, would require public reporting and greater transparency. He said the government has yet to support it, issuing a challenge that passing the bill would show they truly cared about protecting northern communities.
Review extension
The government, in a statement, said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency tapped MNP to conduct an independent and evidence-based review of its response to the 2025 wildfire season, which was unprecedented in its intensity, geographic spread, and duration.
The government said the third-party review conducted by MNP aims to strengthen Saskatchewan’s preparedness and response capabilities heading into the next wildfire season. However, SPSA extended the review timeframe to March 31, 2026, to support the consultation process.
“This extension was granted after the SPSA received requests from numerous communities and individuals who wanted to engage with the review through February. Acknowledging the importance of their voices, and to ensure the report is as accurate as possible, the SPSA agreed to receive the report in late spring 2026.
“The request was also granted to allow MNP more time to review the thousands of SPSA documents requested by MNP and hundreds of interviews conducted. This delay has not stopped the SPSA from making improvements during the off-season.”
The government said that SPSA has also conducted its own internal reviews and made improvements, including to its evacuation policies and procedures, enhanced planning with First Nations, and continued work with residents of Denare Beach through the Recovery Task Team program.
They are confident that the extra time provided to MNP will result in a report and recommendations that reflect the voices of Saskatchewan communities and residents.
Other similar third-party reports in other jurisdictions have taken years, so the SPSA appreciates the extensive work performed by MNP and looks forward to the recommendations.
