A file photo of a wildfire burning in Saskatchewan. (File photo/SPSA)

By CKOM

effects of wildfires

USask researchers receive $1.5 million for rapid response wildfire research

Oct 5, 2025 | 2:38 PM

Researchers will have more money to study the effects of wildfire damage on First Nations and Métis communities.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Institute of Indigenous Peoples Health donated the $1.5 million to the National Co-ordinating Centre of the Network Environments of Indigenous Health Research to First Nations Research Network / mamawiikikayaahk Métis Research Network and University of Saskatchewan.

“The wildfires this summer led to over 40,000 residents being evacuated across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, displacing individuals from their communities for extended periods of time. And when they were finally able to go back, many found their communities, as well as old logging and trapping places, burnt to the ground,” said Dr. Robert Henry in a statement.

Henry is an associate professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies in the College of Arts and Science, USask’s Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Justice and Wellbeing, and the principal investigator of First Nations Research Network/mamawiikikayaahk Métis Research Network and lead of the National Co-ordinating Centre of the Network Environments of Indigenous Health Research.

According to the statement, with the funds, research projects will be developed to evaluate the impacts of wildfires, evacuations, and rapid research approaches to address future disasters, emergencies and pandemics.

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Henry noted that one project is looking at the impact of evacuees on communities that are opening their doors to support others.

“For example, one community shut down their school to house evacuees, and we want to evaluate how that closure impacted parents, teachers and students,” he said.

Another project is looking at the impact of evacuees on communities opening their doors to support others.

Henry said he hopes these projects will help guide policy makers in formulating timely changes that can provide communities with “immediate support in times of crisis.”

“We know wildfires are going to be impacting our country again and this grant has the potential to support communities and regions affected during the next season and beyond. We aim to have everything set up so when fire season starts, we can work with communities quickly to evaluate the impact,” he said.

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