Environment Archives - Saskatchewan Herald

Saskatchewan’ Grips the Province with Wind Chills Near -45 °C

Hunter W. — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:07:40 +0000

A blast of Arctic air has plunged Saskatchewan into bone-chilling cold, with temperatures so low and winds so strong that officials are warning residents to stay safe and indoors this weekend. This deep freeze has sparked orange weather warnings, frozen equipment, and forced cities to step up emergency services.

Reports from Environment Canada and local media show that much of the province has been enduring temperatures well below –30 °C, with wind chill values dipping into the –40s, and in some spots, feeling like –50 °C or colder. In Saskatoon and other cities, the cold is severe enough that bare skin could freeze in just minutes, making short trips outside risky without proper winter wear.

This extreme cold is more than just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous. Officials have issued orange warnings, meaning the weather could cause significant disruption to daily life and pose serious health risks. Frostbite and hypothermia are real concerns if people are exposed without heavy layers and protection for their face and hands.

Local services are responding to the cold in practical ways. In cities like Saskatoon and Regina, emergency warming centres and buses are open to help people without reliable shelter get warm at night. Fire departments are also warning residents about the hidden dangers cold weather can bring indoors. Furnaces and heaters working overtime can increase the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if vents or chimneys are blocked by ice or snow.

The cold has even made some jobs harder. Firefighters battling a landfill blaze near Whitewood said their crews struggled in temperatures around –35 °C, with equipment and hoses freezing and trucks needing regular water refills just to stay operational.

Officials say the extreme conditions are expected to persist through the weekend before some relief arrives later, with forecasts showing temperatures might begin to warm slightly by early next week. But for now, residents are being urged to dress in warm layers, check on vulnerable neighbours, and limit time spent outside in the dangerous cold.

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Highways Shut as Winter Storm Hits Across Saskatchewan

Hunter W. — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 12:40:56 +0000

A powerful blast of winter weather turned Saskatchewan roads into danger zones on Friday, forcing highway closures and triggering a wave of crashes across central and southern parts of the province. Police are urging drivers to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.

RCMP confirmed officers were responding to a multi-vehicle collision near the intersection of Highway 46 and Highway 1, southwest of Balgonie. The crash prompted the closure of Highway 46, with no clear timeline yet on when it will reopen. Several other highways around the Regina region were also closed as conditions rapidly deteriorated.

Further north, officers were dispatched to another collision on Highway 10, south of the Highway 364 junction near Edgeley. These incidents are part of a broader pattern reported throughout the day, with police receiving multiple calls about vehicles sliding into ditches, reduced visibility, and extremely slippery roads.

According to RCMP, the dangerous conditions are being driven by a mix of ice-covered pavement, snow-packed lanes, drifting and blowing snow, and strong winds. Together, these factors are making it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead and even harder to maintain control of their vehicles.

Authorities are strongly advising the public to postpone travel if possible. For those who must travel, drivers are encouraged to check current road and weather conditions before leaving. The province’s Highway Hotline provides real-time updates on plowing, sanding, and salting operations, as well as which routes are open or closed.

Police also issued an important reminder: do not call 911 or local RCMP detachments for road condition updates. Emergency lines must remain available for life-threatening situations and active crimes. Road condition information should be accessed through official online services instead.

Winter storms are a reality of life in Saskatchewan, but officials stress that caution and patience can save lives. Slowing down, delaying trips, and staying informed can make the difference between getting home safely and becoming another statistic in a growing list of storm-related collisions.

As the weather system continues to move through the province, residents are being urged to stay alert, plan ahead, and put safety first.

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Work Begins on Two New Flood Mitigation Projects in Saskatoon

Hunter W. — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:42:53 +0000

Construction is now underway on two major flood control projects in Saskatoon as part of the city’s ongoing Flood Control Strategy (FCS). These projects, located at Cumberland Park and on University of Saskatchewan land near 14th Street East, are the fifth and sixth of nine FCS initiatives scheduled for completion by 2026.

The FCS was approved by Saskatoon City Council in 2018 to reduce the risk of neighbourhood flooding caused by intense rainfall. One of the key components of the plan is the construction of dry storm ponds, which temporarily collect stormwater runoff during heavy rain events. These ponds prevent water from pooling on streets and damaging nearby properties by allowing the water to slowly drain into the city’s storm sewer system. When not in use, these areas remain dry and serve as green space for public recreation.

The Cumberland Park project will primarily protect homes and infrastructure near Cumberland Avenue South and Main Street. The nearby University of Saskatchewan site will help reduce flooding risks around 14th Street East.

So far, three dry ponds built under the FCS are already complete and open to the public at W.W. Ashley Park, Churchill Park, and Weaver Park. A fourth project featuring underground stormwater storage in Brevoort Park South is operational, with landscaping work scheduled for this year.

These efforts are part of a long-term vision to protect key neighbourhoods in Saskatoon from flooding, which is becoming increasingly common due to changing weather patterns and more frequent heavy rainfalls.

In addition to the five completed or ongoing projects, the City of Saskatoon plans to build three more dry pond projects in 2026 and 2027.

Source:

Saskatoon.ca

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Thousands Evacuated as Canadian Wildfires Spread

Hunter W. — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:57:55 +0000

Over 25,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes across Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan as wildfires continue to rage in parts of Canada, with smoke drifting into the U.S. and worsening air quality.

Manitoba has been hit the hardest, declaring a state of emergency. About 17,000 people have been evacuated there, including over 5,000 from the town of Flin Flon. Fires in the area knocked out power and forced the nearby community of Cranberry Portage to evacuate 600 residents. Meanwhile, Alberta and Saskatchewan have also seen thousands flee, and officials warn more could be displaced.

Thick smoke from the fires has spread south into U.S. states like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana, pushing air quality to “unhealthy” levels in some areas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Health officials are warning that smoky conditions can change quickly and pose serious health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

Firefighters and emergency crews from across Canada and even the U.S., including teams from Alaska, Oregon, and Arizona, have joined the battle. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said resources are stretched thin and that the next week is critical. “We need soaking rains to bring these fires under control,” Moe said.

The U.S. is also offering help, sending an air tanker and 150 firefighters to Alberta. Meanwhile, in Idaho, a separate wildfire has burned over 100 acres, prompted evacuations, and destroyed at least one structure.

Evacuation centers have opened across Manitoba, including in Winnipeg and as far south as Winkler, near the U.S. border. But space is limited. Manitoba Indigenous leaders are urging the government to ensure evacuees have access to hotel rooms, which are filling up fast.

“This is one of the largest evacuations we’ve seen since the 1990s,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “Families are sleeping on floors. We need more support.”

As the fires rage on, officials say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the blazes can be contained, or if more communities will be at risk.

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Wildfires Force Evacuations in Saskatchewan

Hunter W. — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 10:42:33 +0000

A growing wildfire emergency has prompted Saskatchewan to declare a provincial state of emergency as fast-moving blazes continue to force evacuations across Western Canada. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the current wildfire conditions in the province are “as severe or quite likely unlike anything we have faced in quite some time, if not ever.”

As of Saturday afternoon, 16 wildfires were active in Saskatchewan, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. Of those, seven are not contained, five are under control, three are being closely monitored, and one is threatening property and infrastructure.

Thousands have fled their homes under emergency orders in Saskatchewan and neighbouring Manitoba, which declared its own state of emergency earlier this week after evacuating over 17,000 residents. Wildfires are also actively burning in Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported more than 160 wildfires burning nationwide, with 84 considered “out of control.”

In response to the crisis, the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) also declared a state of emergency and committed to supporting displaced families. MN–S President Glen McCallum emphasized the urgency and human toll of the situation.

“These wildfires are spreading so unpredictably, and citizens are being evacuated with little or no notice and no destination in place,” McCallum said. “We must be able to respond to their needs so that when they arrive at safe locations, they are welcomed with as many comforts from home as we can provide.”

MN–S is offering culturally grounded support services, emergency supplies, and temporary shelter for evacuees.

Meanwhile, smoke from the wildfires is drifting across provincial and international borders, triggering air quality alerts in Saskatchewan and parts of the United States, including Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois.

As the fires intensify, authorities urge residents to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions. The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed in Manitoba to assist with evacuations and firefighting efforts.

This emergency follows Canada’s worst wildfire season on record in 2023, and scientists continue to link these intensifying fire seasons to the effects of climate change.

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Canada’s Wildfire Emergency Expands to Second Province

Hunter W. — Fri, 30 May 2025 08:14:05 +0000

A growing wildfire crisis in Canada has now triggered evacuations in two provinces, forcing over 17,000 people to flee their homes. Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency Thursday, just one day after neighboring Manitoba did the same, citing one of the worst wildfire seasons in years.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called the situation “very serious,” warning that conditions could worsen with no rain in the forecast. Around 4,000 people have already evacuated the province, and more may follow.

In Manitoba, the emergency is even more intense. Entire towns and Indigenous communities have been evacuated, with military aircraft deployed to assist those in remote areas. Nearly 200,000 hectares of forest have already burned—triple the usual amount for this time of year.

“This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people’s living memory,” said Premier Wab Kinew, who also warned that fires are now affecting every region of the province—something he called a clear sign of a changing climate.

Thousands of evacuees arrived in Winnipeg, many with only the clothes on their backs. Emergency shelters have been set up, and local leaders are urging compassion. “Winnipeg will do what we’ve always done in times of crisis: open our doors and stand together,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.

In Flin Flon, Manitoba’s largest evacuated town, flames crept within 500 meters of homes. Smoke made it impossible for water bombers to operate safely, according to Mayor George Fontaine. “It’s a very tense situation,” he said.

Across Canada, 163 wildfires are currently active—half of them considered out of control. Emergency officials and Red Cross teams say many evacuees are exhausted, uncertain whether they’ll have homes to return to.

With worsening weather and no rain in sight, the wildfire emergency remains fluid and dangerous—testing the resilience of communities and emergency response systems alike.

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Indian Oil and Gas Company’s Unfair Policies Are Crippling Energy Providers

Hunter W. — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:19:02 +0000

The Indian Oil and Gas Company (IOGC) is facing criticism for its excessive fees and outdated regulations, which have forced a local Canadian energy provider into receivership. These complex bureaucratic hurdles and financial burdens imposed by IOGC have made it nearly impossible for smaller companies to sustain operations, inevitably leading to severe economic and social consequences.

This situation stems from You First Energy’s acquisition of wells from a previous owner, Abbey, who had left unpaid royalties that IOGC now demands from YFE. As a result, these historical liabilities, combined with mounting financial pressures from IOGC and other regulatory bodies, created an overwhelming financial strain that ultimately forced YFE to cease operations. Despite their best efforts to navigate these challenges, the company found itself unable to overcome the demands and liability calculations—designed without consideration for economic realities—which rapidly drained its resources and pushed it into financial distress.

Further compounding the crisis, the Ministry of Energy and Resources imposed Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) fees, which disproportionately penalized YFE and intensified its financial instability. These excessive charges, when added to the demands from IOGC, resulted in estimated losses ranging between $500,000 and $800,000. Moreover, the company faced additional burdens, including outstanding carbon taxes and vendor debts, all while being denied any real opportunity to operate profitably due to restrictive and outdated policies.

The ramifications of these regulatory failures extend far beyond a single company. The shutdown of YFE translates into job losses, reduced energy affordability for Canadians, and the waste of millions in taxpayer dollars. Critics argue that IOGC’s mismanagement follows a troubling pattern seen in past controversies, where energy corporations have faced backlash for environmental disasters, safety violations, and unethical business practices.

Ultimately, the forced closure of You First Energy underscores the urgent need for regulatory reform. If left unchecked, IOGC’s overreach and unfair policies will continue to undermine small businesses, restrict energy access, and impose unnecessary financial burdens on taxpayers. To prevent further economic damage and ensure fair opportunities for energy providers, greater transparency and accountability within IOGC’s regulatory framework are crucial.

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Government Guidelines for Keeley Lake Dredging: A Tale of Absurdity

Hunter W. — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In what seems like a bid to navigate the bureaucratic waters, the locals of Keeley Lake Lodge find themselves tangled in a net of nonsensical regulations surrounding the dredging of Keeley Lake. The government’s guidelines, encapsulated in the Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit, outline an unnecessarily complicated path that threatens to drown any hope of efficiency or common sense.

The permit, a tome of overbearing restrictions, imposes an array of hurdles that defy logic. One such stipulation insists on the transportation of dredged sand a staggering 1.5 kilometers away from the site. This arbitrary directive not only defies practicality but also inflates costs to exorbitant levels.

Let’s break down the absurdity. Picture this: 200 yards long, 50 yards wide, at a depth of 8 feet. This equates to a mind-boggling 28,000 buckets of sand. To transport this volume, we’re looking at 1,400 loads on rock trucks. Even with a diligent workforce operating at maximum capacity, it would take a minimum of 7 days to move the sand. This is with the dumping spot conveniently located a mere 3 minutes away.

But wait, there’s more to this bureaucratic circus. The cost implications are as outrageous as the guidelines themselves. Factoring in the expenses of employing four rock trucks and a track hoe – including diesel, maintenance, and personnel – we’re staring down the barrel of a $70,000 bill for just seven days. Double the distance, double the time, and we’re looking at a whopping $140,000. Why should the sand be loaded and transported that far when it can simply be placed in the lake, spread throughout in a place it will do no harm?

It’s akin to asking someone to take a detour to the moon to fetch a pail of water. The sheer inefficiency and impracticality of these directives cast a shadow over any notion of progress or environmental stewardship.

Moreover, the liability is unfairly shifted onto the locals who filed the complaint. As custodians of crown land, entrusted with the betterment of the community and environment, it’s preposterous to burden them with such prohibitive regulations. What is the purpose of our tax money if they won’t use it to better the community?

In a world where pragmatism should reign supreme, these guidelines are a testament to bureaucratic inertia at its finest. They stifle innovation, suffocate progress, and serve as a stark reminder of the disconnect between policy and practicality.

In the face of such regulatory rigidity, it’s imperative that voices are raised, and common sense prevails. The waters of Keeley Lake may be a little murky, but the fog of bureaucracy should not cloud them. It’s time for a wake-up call – a call to streamline regulations, foster innovation, and pave the way for a future where progress and pragmatism go hand in hand.

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Indian Oil and Gas Company Forces Local Canadian Firm Into Receivership

Hunter W. — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The Indian Oil and Gas Company (IOGC) and the Ministry of Energy and Resources forced the local Canadian company You First Energy (YFE) into receivership due to absurd fees and bureaucracy. As a result, You First Energy cannot afford to provide cheap energy to local Canadians. These unnecessary fees prevent them from running wells on native lands, yielding profits, and significantly impacting the community, Saskatchewan taxpayers, and the company’s operations.

You First Energy, in a move that shows the injustice they’ve faced, announced they will cease operations and shut down their wells by July 31. Persistently low natural gas prices since the acquisition of the wells have led to significant losses. Future Now Enterprises Inc., the primary investor, has incurred substantial losses and is no longer willing to invest further funds, hoping prices will improve to profitable levels. Even if prices were to improve, the wells would still operate at a loss because of the Ministry of Energy and Resources and the Indian Oil and Gas Company.

Government officials, who should be helping to find solutions, have become lazy, greedy, corrupt, and negligent. Jim Reiter, a minister from the Ministry of Energy, has ignored numerous concerns, and his subordinates, Candace Dominique and Brad Wagner, have failed to follow rules or common-sense practices for Saskatchewan taxpayers, costing millions.

Tim Cimmer, president of You First Energy, stated they have a great relationship with the First Nation landowners CTK but have been forced by the Ministry of Energy and Resources and the Indian Oil and Gas Company to impose a receivership carryover with MNP controlling the order, wasting Saskatchewan taxpayers’ money by millions over the last five years. Cimmer said they were employing locals, supplying Saskatchewan residents, and could sustain low gas prices given their production capacity. However, the losses are estimated to be between $500,000 and $800,000, plus the purchase price due to outdated 20-year-old rules and historically low gas prices.

The list of creditors is long and varied. The Indian Oil and Gas Company claims about $500,000, mainly for royalties before Abbey’s receivership, the previous owner. They argue that historical unpaid royalties attach to the wells, making the current owner responsible. This claim falls under ‘Cure Costs,’ a term in the contract that refers to the costs a new owner must incur to rectify past issues. The Ministry of Energy and Resources demands $130,000 to $600,000 based on a Licensee Liability Rating (LLR) calculation. This calculation, based on their formulas, requires the company to pay if the net present value of assets does not exceed reclamation liabilities.

You First Energy refused to pay this assessed amount, leading to the threat of receivership by the Ministry of Resource and Energy. Other unsecured creditors include various vendors owed $60,000 to $80,000, and TransGas, guaranteed by Future Now Enterprises Inc., must be paid about $20,000. Additionally, $20,000 of Carbon Tax is owed, reduced from $40,000 due to retained GST claims. An application to overturn this amount is being processed, but the chance of acceptance is low due to government wrongdoing, placing another burden on Saskatchewan taxpayers. Instead of using the $27 million liability already forfeited from these wells to the Orphan gas fund, which the Saskatchewan people should audit to learn why so much money has been given to MNP, taxpayers should track these funds to see if there has been overspending on obscured costs.

This situation shows the severe impact of excessive fees and bureaucratic hurdles on local energy providers. You First Energy’s shutdown means a loss of affordable energy for Canadians and highlights the challenges small companies face in the energy sector. With their corrupt fees and exploitative practices, different entities are driving local businesses under, causing significant economic and social harm. These practices undermine local companies’ survival and deprive communities of essential services and affordable energy, exacerbating financial strain on local Canadians. The forced closure of You First Energy reminds us how powerful entities can disrupt local economies and livelihoods through unfair financial demands.

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Problems in Keeley Lake Community Plagues Locals

Hunter W. — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The Keeley Lake community in Northern Saskatchewan is grappling with several issues that need immediate attention. Voting rights and the ability to manage affairs empowers them to tackle these challenges effectively.

Road Maintenance and Safety Issues

Keeley Lake’s roads are in poor condition. Large potholes have been left unaddressed for months, posing serious risks to drivers. Additionally, brush clearing has not been done in over a decade, increasing the likelihood of wildlife collisions. Snow plowing is inconsistent, making winter travel difficult and unsafe. Furthermore, wildfire evacuation routes lack proper maintenance, endangering residents during emergencies.

Solution: Keeley Lake hamlet allows the community to manage road maintenance more effectively. Section 43(1)(g) of the Northern Municipalities Act, 2010, permits a service district to handle road planning, design, construction, and maintenance. With hamlet status, Keeley Lake ensures regular road repairs, consistent snow plowing, and safe evacuation routes.

Inadequate Emergency Services

Emergency services in Keeley Lake are currently insufficient. Residents lack reliable fire prevention, policing, and ambulance services, which are crucial for protecting lives and property.

Solution: A hamlet, Keeley Lake gains control over its emergency services. Section 43(1)(a) of the Northern Municipalities Act, 2010, allows a service district to provide protective and emergency services. This would ensure that residents have access to timely and efficient emergency responses, safeguarding their homes and families.

Environmental and Recreational Concerns

The community faces environmental and recreational challenges as well. Increased fishing pressure necessitates more trout stocking to support wildlife conservation and tourism. In 2024, Fern Lake received 13,000 rainbow trout fingerlings, and Atchison Lake got 5,000 brook trout fingerlings, but this is not enough to meet the rising demand. Broad Creek, a vital access point to Keeley Lake, is hindered by sediment buildup, creating safety hazards for watercraft and preventing recreational activities. This also affects indigenous communities’ ability to harvest rice and fish.

Solution: Hamlet status enables Keeley Lake to address these environmental concerns more proactively. The community could work with relevant agencies to increase trout stocking and manage the dredging of Broad Creek. This would ensure safe access to recreational activities and support the subsistence needs of indigenous populations.

The Keeley Lake community needs the right to vote and self-govern to effectively address its unique challenges. This hamlet empowers residents to manage road maintenance, improve emergency services, and tackle environmental issues. This recognition would enhance the quality of life for Keeley Lake residents and ensure a safer, more sustainable future for the community.

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