North Battleford not facing ‘extreme’ wildfire risk, but concerns remain

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, the Lobstick wildfire started earlier this week and remains uncontained. Fire crews from Duck Lake, MacDowall and Wahpeton have joined SPSA firefighters, helicopters and retardant tanker groups responding to the blaze.

A plume of smoke billowed just off of Highway 11 as a wildfire burns between MacDowall and Duck Lake on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Image Credit: Nick Nielsen/paNOW)

The agency said Saskatchewan had four active wildfires and 68 fires so far this season as of Wednesday, compared to 208 fires at the same point last year.

Environment Canada is forecasting highs of 35 C and windy conditions through Friday in many areas of the province, with chances of showers and thunderstorms.

While rain is expected, Holm said recent moisture has not been enough to fully ease fire concerns.

North Battleford’s fire ban has remained in effect since May 2 and includes restrictions on open burning outside approved fire pits and cooking appliances. The RM of North Battleford also issued a ban on Wednesday, prohibiting all open fires until further notice.

Holm said the city is not facing an “extreme” wildfire threat, but conditions remain serious enough that he is not comfortable lifting the restrictions.

“We’re not in an extreme risk, but we do have a high risk in and around the area,” he said.

“That’s why I’m maintaining our fire ban, is I just do not feel comfortable releasing that fire ban until our conditions improve a little bit, that’s probably going to take another real nice rain to be able to alleviate some of those conditions.”

The wildfire has also renewed criticism from local leaders who say restrictions in forested areas are still too reactive.

“We don’t put fire bans on willy-nilly,” RM of Duck Lake Reeve Remi Martin told paNOW on May 27, that after the municipality imposed its own fire ban while no provincial restriction was in place in the adjacent Nisbet Forest.

“We discuss it with the fire chief and all that, and we try to plan proactively here.”

Firefighters from Duck Lake action the blaze burning in the Nisbet forest. According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s active incident map, the fire was human-caused. (Image Credit: Duck Lake Fire Department/Facebook)

Martin said the fire spread rapidly in hot and windy conditions, forcing precautionary evacuations near the forest edge.

“And with the wind and the heat, it went rapid,” he said. “It moved yesterday [May 26], approximately 4 plus miles to the west of us.”

Holm said people should be cautious during outdoor activities.

“I would just suggest that if people are out and about, or hiking, or trail riding, or quadding, anything like that, conditions in the province are varying right now,” he said.

“If you are having an outdoor fire, please make sure that it’s fully extinguished before you leave that area.”

He added ATV engines coming into contact with dry grass and improperly discarded cigarettes remain common fire risks during windy conditions.

“Just make sure that you’re monitoring that your quads, especially if you know your engines, and that are coming in contact with dry grass, it could spark a wildfire as well,” Holm said.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

by battlefordsNOW staff

North Battleford not facing ‘extreme’ wildfire risk, but concerns remain

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