Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has acknowledged significant shortcomings in the province’s handling of the 2025 wildfire season following the release of an independent report by accounting firm MNP.

The report concluded that Saskatchewan was not adequately prepared for the severe wildfire conditions it faced in 2025, a season that burned approximately 2.9 million hectares and became the most significant wildfire season in the province’s history.

According to the review, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) relied on outdated prevention methods that were not sufficiently based on modern fire science, and the province’s wildfire and emergency management systems were placed under extreme pressure by conditions that were considered foreseeable after several years of severe wildfire activity across Canada.

Speaking from Paris during a European trade mission, Moe said the government had reviewed the findings and was working on a response intended to improve public confidence and strengthen future wildfire management.The report included 11 recommendations, and both Moe and SPSA Minister Michael Weger stated that efforts are underway to implement them.The report also prompted criticism from residents affected by the fires.

Dustin Trumbley of Denare Beach, who lost his home and other possessions during the wildfire, called for the resignation of senior SPSA officials, arguing that northern communities deserved better leadership and accountability.Moe declined to endorse those calls, stating that staffing decisions within the agency are not made directly by elected officials.

Looking ahead, the premier expressed interest in working more closely with northern communities and First Nations to expand volunteer firefighter training and promote FireSmart initiatives aimed at reducing wildfire risks and improving community preparedness.