Saskatchewan Community of Beauval Battles Wildfire, Evacuees Cling to Hope

A wildfire has reached the village of Beauval, Saskatchewan, but no homes have been lost so far. Residents who fled their homes have been staying in hotels in Saskatoon and other cities. The community has come together to support each other, with volunteers helping to coordinate evacuees and provide activities for children and elders. Emergency operations personnel have been working to protect Beauval.

A significant wildfire has reached the northern Saskatchewan community of Beauval, forcing residents to evacuate their homes. As of the latest reports, no homes have been burned down, but the situation remains critical. Residents who fled their homes have been staying in hotels in Saskatoon and other cities, with the community coming together to support each other. Volunteers have been coordinating evacuees and providing activities for children and elders, while emergency operations personnel continue to work to protect Beauval.

The wildfire entered the community on Thursday evening, with Mayor Rick Laliberte reporting that it approached from the west and flanked the village. The canteen building at the recreation grounds was destroyed, and a mandatory evacuation order had been issued the previous week due to nearby wildfires. Despite the evacuation order, some support staff and an emergency management team remained behind to protect buildings and infrastructure. Laliberte confirmed that no houses have been burned down, and an escape route via Highway 165 across the bridges to La Plonge reserve remains available [1].

The situation in Patuanak, a hamlet just over 80 kilometers north of Beauval, is equally dire. Patuanak has declared a state of emergency and is airlifting residents out due to a wildfire that blocked the only road into the community. The fire, named the Muskeg fire, has grown to nearly 34,000 hectares and is about 40 kilometers away from the hamlet. Winds have been extremely volatile, creating a hazardous environment for residents. Priority individuals, including elders, children, and those with medical conditions, are being taken to safety by aircraft, while those who are able to will remain in the community [1].

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has been working closely with local authorities to manage the situation. The agency has issued a fire ban for areas north of the provincial forest boundary, up to the Churchill River, due to the high fire activity and extreme fire risk. As of Thursday evening, 56 fires remain active in Saskatchewan, with only five listed as contained. The agency has been in discussions with English River First Nation and Patuanak prior to the decision to evacuate, considering who should evacuate and the risks involved [1].

The wildfire situation in Saskatchewan has been severe this year, with 362 wildfires reported as of July 2, 2025, well above the five-year average of 222 for this time. The province has spent $20 million on communities devastated by wildfires, highlighting the significant economic impact of these events. The SPSA continues to monitor the situation and coordinate efforts to protect communities and infrastructure [1].

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/patuanak-saskatchewan-residents-fly-to-lloydminster-due-to-wildfire-1.7582415