Tri-community leaders reflect on 2025 evacuation one year later

“They are working hard to make sure the houses are ready to be moved into, so all 12 units are being worked on and are in different stages. The goal is to have all 12 families moved into their new homes by the end of June.”

While there were lessons learned from the 2025 evacuation, Cook-Searson noted more work needs to be done. For instance, she said more resources need to be available for evacuees when they need it most.

“It was really tough because we had a two-tier process, which we still have for evacuation. We have the Red Cross and then also the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Having two separate agencies made it really difficult for the evacuees,” Cook-Searson remarked.

“We need to coordinate better. If SPSA and Red Cross is going to stay the way it is, we need to do a better job of coordinating together, so that way people are getting the help up front. I know the SPSA does help, but that help doesn’t come until after you get home. You actually need the help when you are evacuated.”

Downtown La Ronge hours before residents were told to evacuate. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski believes the town is better prepared for another wildfire event now than it was last year. Council has been making changes to its emergency plan and he thinks the SPSA has made progress with its review of 2025.

Hordyski also added residents are rebuilding out on the lake and in town.

“I don’t know what is going to happen on the old site, but certainly it is encouraging to see RONA is rebuilding. At the end of the day, I think it is going to be a facility that is really going to provide the community with good service,” he said.

“I think with all the other rebuilds happening over time, especially the rebuilds on the islands that got burnt and other areas, they will have that service a little bit closer to home.”

Looking back one year later, Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk feels a mix of relief and sadness that brings back a certain heaviness.

“When you replay in your mind the intensity June 2 encapsulated, and what your residents experienced as they evacuated and fled through flames, into chaos and uncertainty – it truly is hard to put that into words as I reflect,” she wrote in an email to larongeNOW.

“Our community has taken away the need to have our own preparedness system in place as well; we recognize we have a responsibility. Living within the boreal forest automatically requires an additional layer to how we look at mitigating risk and protecting our community. We have a lot of work ahead but I’m confident we will get there.”

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Tri-community leaders reflect on 2025 evacuation one year later

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