Lightning sparks multiple new wildfires in north, western Sask.

The burnt remnants of trees can be seen near La Ronge, Sask. in June 2026. (David Prisciak/CTV News)

A string of thunderstorm activity has sparked several new wildfires throughout Saskatchewan’s north.

In an update issued early Friday, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) confirmed seven new fires in the northern and western response areas of the province. All are currently one acre in size or smaller.

They include the Wood, Hunter, Carey, Wapa, Church, Durocher and ERFN04 fires. All the fires, with the exception of ERFN04, were reportedly caused by lightning strikes.

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As of Friday at 12:30 p.m., there are 42 active wildfires in the province, with the largest being the Lobstick fire south of Shellbrook at 18,923 acres. Crews are currently working on putting out hotspots for that blaze.

The Cayford fire, which grew to a total of 12,879 acres and burned an area north of Hudson Bay, is now officially extinguished.

Of the 42 active wildfires, the SPSA says five of the blazes are contained, nine are uncontained, protecting values is the priority of one fire – while the other 27 are currently ongoing assessment.

So far in 2026, Saskatchewan has reported 161 wildfires. The same time in 2025, the province had already experienced 272.