The 2025 wildfires in Northern Saskatchewan have left a trail of devastation—over 3.3 million acres of boreal forest which includes hunting and harvesting lands, critical infrastructure, cabins, homes, and cherished recreation areas have been lost.
Procido LLP is currently evaluating the viability of a negligence claim against the Government of Saskatchewan. Early findings suggest that only 5 of the province’s 10 water bombers were operational during the crisis. Among the unprecedented damage, even a provincial firefighting base located within Narrow Hills Provincial Park was consumed by flames due to inadequate resourcing at the firefighting base operated by the Government of Saskatchewan. Rural municipalities trying to issue emergency alerts were not able to, because nobody “had the authority from the Province” to do so. The Government of Saskatchewan even issued an evacuation alert for Weyakwin and mistakenly included the entire City of Prince Albert (150 km North) – setting off mass panic and confusion. Residents of places like East Trout Lake which burnt to the ground, were told by the Government of Saskatchewan that they “were in no immediate danger” – but even the residents knew the fire was fast approaching. These, along with other many other material failures of the provincial government, many of which which are just coming to light now, may constitute negligence and raise serious concerns about the government’s preparedness and response and ability to maintain public safety and order.
Allegations of Negligence
The Government of Saskatchewan may have failed in its duty to protect the people and property of the North. Despite early warnings of extreme dryness—conditions linked to climate change—the province may not have acted with sufficient urgency nor had sufficient resources available to act. Historically, the Government of Saskatchewan has resisted climate legislation and exercised skepticism of climate change.
It remains unclear at this point, but potential negligence by the Government of Saskatchewan may have caused damages in Manitoba – particularly in the Flin Flon area and on Lake Athapapaskow.
Would the fires have been contained and extinguished faster if First Nations located in Northern Saskatchewan had the authority and resources to undertake firefighting duties?
Who Has Been Affected?
The impact of the wildfires has been widespread:
- Homeowners have lost personal and primary residences.
- Cabin owners have seen property values plummet due to the loss of surrounding forest.
- First Nations and Métis communities have lost traditional harvesting lands for blueberries, low-bush cranberries, Saskatoon berries, mushrooms, Labrador tea, mint, spruce tips, birch bark, moose, deer, elk, rabbits, grouse, etc.
- Miners with active mining operations in Northern Saskatchewan have had to shut down their mine and evacuate most of their mine workers.
- Trapping for fur-bearing animals such as beaver, muskrat, fox, marten, etc. have been lost.
- Uranium mining exploration work may have been delayed, reduced, or cancelled.
- Wild rice harvesting areas have been reduced.
- Tourism operators—guides, outfitters, and campground owners—have suffered severe business losses.
- Air charter companies have seen massive cancellations of flights.
- Evacuated residents have been unable to work or access their equipment and gear to work.
- Forestry companies and timber rights holders have lost valuable resources.
- Public communication, electricity distribution and transmission, and highway infrastructure necessary for businesses was lost.
- Trucking companies had to suspend operations as highways were close.
- Copper-zinc-gold-silver mine development work was delayed.
- Remote lakefront properties have been lost.
- Businesses selling consumer goods to tourists have suffered significant losses.
- The fires have also contributed to a massive release of CO₂, worsening and accelerating environmental damage and climate change.
- Cabin and resort owners had booking cancelled as recreational areas which guests would access while renting the accommodation were decimated.
- We know many Northerners have suffered other damages and losses and we want to hear from you.
A Call to Action
Procido LLP is inviting affected individuals, businesses, First Nations and organizations to attend a free online live webinar on:
🗓 Monday, July 7, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM CST
This live webinar will explore the potential for a class action lawsuit against the Government of Saskatchewan for negligence and damages.
Who Should Attend?
- First Nations and Métis individuals
- Outfitters
- First Nation councillors and Chiefs
- Active gold and uranium miners and and uranium mill operators
- Métis leaders
- Cabin owners
- Uranium mining exploration companies active in Northern Saskatchewan
- Homeowners
- Copper-zinc-gold-silver mine development companies
- Owners of generational remote lakefront properties
- Tourism business owners
- Leaseholders on Crown land in Northern Saskatchewan
- Cottage association members and directors
- Forestry companies and timber rights holders
- Incorporated municipalities such as Towns, Northern Villages, and Northern Hamlets
- Airlines operating in Northern Saskatchewan
- First Nations interested in assuming the authority to fight forest fires in Northern Saskatchewan
If you or your community have been affected, we want to hear your story.
👉 Register for the live webinar here.
Note: After you register for the live webinar at the link above, an invitation with a link to the live webinar will be sent to you by email 30 minutes before the live webinar (at 9:30am CST on Monday July 7).
If you have any questions about the live webinar please reach out by telephone to Procido LLP at 306 664 1444 or by email at classaction@procido.com.