Sask. Premier Scott Moe addresses Lobstick Fire

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That way, when the weather does get hot again, the blaze won’t “all of a sudden make a run for Holbein, Crutwell and PA, or anything like that,” Moe said.

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According to Moe, the budget given to the SPSA following last year’s record-breaking wildfire season is just an estimate. But, “the funds are always there to support communities,” he said. (Image Credit: Marija Robinson/CKOM)

Thus far, more than 1,300 people have had to evacuate because of wildfires this season.

The majority of those evacuees are from Red Earth Cree Nation, with 130 from the RM of Shellbrook, according to Moe.

Though, there’s a chance that number will grow.

“I think there’s discussions happening with Shoal Lake as we speak,” Moe said Sunday morning, although that’s because of issues with access rather than threats to the community he added.

Unlike last year’s record-breaking wildfire season, which didn’t threaten Shellbrook or the surrounding area, this time it’s the premier’s riding that’s taking a hit.

But with Moe’s home located in the town of Shellbrook, rather than the RM, he said he isn’t concerned about his personal property burning.

Instead, he said, “if I have ever any stresses, it’s really been about trying to communicate and open up the lines of communication even more, to support the local efforts and support the SPSA.”

Enough money to fight wildfires?

While, there was criticism over the provincial government’s $140-million budget for the SPSA when it was announced back in March, Moe said, “there’s this criticism every budget year.”

Plus, according to Moe, that number is just an estimation based on what the average cost might be.

So, the budget doesn’t reflect what would actually happen if the price of fighting wildfires stretched past it.

“Irrespective of who might be in government, I don’t think you’ll ever find a time where the funds don’t flow when the need is there, and that would be true for sure this year. It was true last year,” he said, explaining how the final cost in 2025 blew past the budget.

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