The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is strengthening its commitment to work alongside the province’s First Nations. On Tuesday in Prince Albert the SPSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) and Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC.) In a Tuesday media release ,the provincial government said the MOU “formalizes an ongoing partnership and establishes a framework for First Nations leadership to help inform wildfire planning and strategy in Saskatchewan.” The SPSA, which oversees Saskatchewan’s emergency management, fire safety and wildfire management, says it will include regular engagement between SPSA, PAGC and MLTC leadership before and after each wildfire season. This work will also feature Indigenous Services Canada and the Canadian Forest Service. “First Nations have generations of knowledge about our lands, our forests and the communities we’re working to protect,” PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said in the release. “That knowledge needs to be part of wildfire planning from the beginning, not only when an emergency is already underway.” MLTC Chief Jeremy Norman says his communities have seen the impacts of wildfires up close. “By strengthening our partnership with the SPSA, we are taking an important step toward improving preparedness, enhancing communication and building resilience for future wildfire seasons,” Norman said. The MOU states the group will provide a forum to share local and traditional knowledge and along with lessons learned from past wildfires. The aim is to provide recommendations and feedback that will improve wildfire strategy, operational planning and community protection initiatives. “Our government continues to take action to improve prevention, response and recovery from wildfires, and First Nations are an integral partner in effectively responding to the challenging threat of wildfires in our province,” said Michael Weger, minister responsible for the SPSA. SPSA President and Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard says wildfires continue to pose significant challenges for communities across Saskatchewan, adding that Indigenous lands are at risk for fast-moving flames. “This agreement reflects our commitment to working alongside First Nations leadership to strengthen wildfire preparedness, improve response efforts and support long-term community resilience,” Pritchard said. The SPSA says there have been 324 wildfires in the province this year, as of Aug. 18. That’s down from the 474 reported in 2025, and the five-year average of 452.
