After the firestorm: Loss and hope in Saskatchewan’s scorched north

As we hit the road heading north toward La Ronge, it was hard to believe the chaos that had unfolded just weeks before. The skies were clear, the air no longer smelling of smoke. The wildfires, exacerbated by a dry spring, had forced thousands of Saskatchewan people from their homes. But now, with the worst of the danger behind us, we wanted to see what was left behind in the forests, the communities, and the lives of the people after the flames had moved on.

As we drove, we saw the first signs of fire a few kilometers south of Weyakwin. Small patches of burnt forest grew into large, blackened swaths. The sides of the highways were like graveyards full of skeletons that used to be trees. Some trees still stood, while others had toppled over, near Highway 2 between Weyakwin and La Ronge.

Gregg Charles, who lost his cabin in the fire, shared his heartbreaking story with us. He and his wife had been living in a tent in a family member’s backyard in Air Ronge. His cabin, 40 kilometers south of the village, had burned to the ground. Despite the loss of their home and possessions, Gregg remained optimistic, grateful that he and his loved ones were safe.

Further north, Bob Forward, who had strong connections to the area, found that his family cabin on Nemeiben Lake was also destroyed by the fire. As he walked through the charred remains, memories of years spent there with his loved ones flooded back. He choked back tears as he pointed out remnants of the door he built with his father-in-law and his wife’s books turned to ash.

But amidst the devastation, there were signs of hope. Randy Johns, the manager of Boreal Heartland, showed us how nature was already beginning to regenerate in the burnt areas. He explained how fireweed grows in the aftermath of a fire, preparing the forest for regeneration. Despite the changing fire cycle, he remained determined to move forward and continue his work.

Shelly Lawrence, co-owner of Rainbow Lodge at Piprell Lake, counted herself lucky that her lodge had been spared by the fire. She expressed her gratitude to the firefighters who had helped save the property and vowed to pay it forward. Nearby campgrounds were not as fortunate, with scorched campsites and destroyed camper vans serving as a stark reminder of the fire’s destructive power.

As we continued our journey, we visited Prince Albert National Park, where Dustin Guedo, a vegetation and fire ecologist with Parks Canada, explained the measures taken to protect critical infrastructure like the water treatment plant. Despite the challenges posed by a dry spring, the rain had brought some relief to the area.

As we drove back south, reflecting on the stories we had heard and the sights we had seen, we were reminded of the resilience of the people and the land. While the scars of the wildfires would remain for some time, there was a sense of hope and determination to rebuild and protect the forests and communities that had been affected. The road ahead would not be easy, but the spirit of those we had met along the way gave us hope for the future.