REGINA 鈥� Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe鈥檚 government, already under attack for failing to help wildfire evacuees, is now facing questions over why almost half of its water bomber fleet was grounded while blazes were forcing thousands to flee.
Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck released flight data Wednesday that she says indicates four of 10 tankers had been grounded for almost a year 鈥� and this is on top of a new water bomber that the province hasn't used due to a lack of pilots.
"It鈥檚 absolutely unacceptable that nearly half our water bombers were sitting idle,鈥� Beck said in a news release. 鈥淲e need a government that鈥檚 focused on the future, and that includes protecting our communities as best we can.鈥�
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, in a statement, said four aircraft have been grounded for various reasons, including inspections, repairs and a lack of parts. It said it expects one of the planes to be operational by the end of this month.
Later Wednesday, the agency's Marlo Pritchard told a news conference crews had what they needed to fight the fires without the four planes.
Saskatchewan brought in two aircraft from Quebec, two from Alaska and five from B.C., he said.
"This is not a secret issue," Pritchard said. "There is no way of fast-tracking safety when we're talking about airplanes."
He added there has been a national shortage of experienced aircraft maintenance engineers.
Saskatchewan has been experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years. The blazes forced more than 10,000 residents from their homes, although many were allowed to start returning last week.
Pritchard said 277 homes, 60 cabins and 115 recreational vehicles were destroyed by the fires. In the hardest hit village of Denare Beach, near the Manitoba boundary, 218 primary residences were lost.
Earlier this week, the province said a new water bomber it received in late May was not being used because there were no trained pilots to fly it. The plane was grounded at an air base in La Ronge.
Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod has said pilots started training on the plane but had to change course and fight the fires.
Moe also has been criticized for failing to provide timely assistance to evacuees.
Last week, ombudsman Sharon Pratchler said the province failed to provide immediate food, shelter and basic information to evacuees. She said some were told they鈥檇 receive callbacks in four days, leaving some to sleep in cars.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has said there were backlogs in the system, which have since been cleared. Moe also has promised adult evacuees one-time emergency support payments of $500.
Pritchard said $1.8 million has been sent to communities to deliver the payouts.
The agency reported 17 active wildfires, including four that were not contained. It said five communities remain evacuated and a fire ban for the northern part of the province has been rescinded.
Just east of Saskatchewan, the province of Manitoba has also been hit hard by wildfires.
They initially forced 21,000 from their homes, mainly in the north and north-central regions.
Pimicikamak Cree Nation saw 7,000 forced out, but they are now allowed to go back. Flights have brought people back from Winnipeg, while buses have been chartered for those who were taken to Thompson.
There was still no word on when the 5,000 residents of Flin Flon might be allowed to return. A fire nearby remained out of control and officials said there were hot spots not far from the community.
In the south, the Manitoba government reopened parts of Nopiming Provincial Park for permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators. But two popular campgrounds in the area are to remain closed for at least another eight days.
鈥� with files from Steve Lambert in Winnipeg
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025.
Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
