Wildfire live updates: Fire crews from Australia deployed to Alberta | Evacuation order issued for District of Squamish | Rain offers relief in Saskatchewan​on June 10, 2025 at 2:43 pm

Fire personnel and aircraft from British Columbia, Yukon, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Washington State, Oregon and Idaho have already arrived in Alberta to assist with battling out-of-control blazes.

The District of Squamish has issued an evacuation alert for some properties in the Brackendale area due to the Dryden Creek Wildfire.

The alert includes some addresses on Depot Road and Tantalus Road, and 4000 Highway 99. People in the affected area are advised to be prepared to leave on short notice.

The Dryden Creek fire, burning above the eastern end of Depot Road, has grown to five hectares and is suspected to be human caused.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said in a wildfire update that recent rain is a “not enough but it’s a good start.” With more in the forecast, Moe is hopeful but remaining cautious as high winds are also expected in wildfire areas.

The extreme weather, which included winds gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour and dry conditions, “caused extreme fire behaviour” and it compromised any progress made getting it under control.

Crews began to notice the aggressive progression of the fire early Sunday morning. It continued through the day, becoming even more intense due to strong west-southwest winds and a cold front.

“Growth was primarily wind-driven, but direct sunlight further increased fire intensity once cloud cover cleared. On the south flank, fire behaviour was more moderate through most of the day as convection within the centre of the fire pulled activity northward, which helped to limit growth to the south. This evening, the southeast finger of the wildfire grew rapidly and crossed into Alberta. The northern section had already entered Alberta days ago, making this the second point of border crossing.”

With the need to provide temporary homes for those fleeing the threat of wildfires, Manitoba is urging people to avoid unnecessary travel.

“The Manitoba Wildfire Service and the Emergency Management Office are asking Manitobans to reconsider non-essential travel in the province to help prioritize lodgings for wildfire evacuees,” the province said in a news release on Monday.

About 21,000 people have registered with the Canadian Red Cross as wildfire evacuees, the province of Manitoba said.

Wildfires of note in the province include three out-of-control blazes threatening Flin Flon, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) and Lynn Lake.

“The province continues to be at a low-to-moderate fire danger level today (Monday), with the northeast area under a high-to-extreme fire danger,” the Manitoba Wildfire Service said. “Lightning starts are anticipated.”

Sherri Parr knows the struggles her husband has faced as he and other volunteer firefighters have worked around the clock to protect their home community of Creighton from an out-of-control wildfire.

What she says she doesn’t understand is why the Saskatchewan government didn’t call for military assistance weeks ago.

“He and the entire fire crew have been sleeping on dirt roads, on concrete floors and on lawn chairs in the fire hall because they’re all so exhausted,” Parr said on Monday, joined in Saskatoon by other wildfire evacuees to express concerns over aspects of the provincial government’s response to the blazes.

“They’ve had zero government support from day one.”

Upwards of 15,000 people have been forced from their homes and their communities across Saskatchewan as a result of more than two dozen raging wildfires.

“These measures are in place to protect public safety, and violations will not be tolerated,” said RCMP.

With below-normal snowpacks during the winter and predicted summer-time drought conditions hitting various parts of Canada, the wildfire season could be a difficult one. Already, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency to help protect people from raging flames and significant evacuations of northern communities in both provinces have seen thousands of people forced to flee their homes.

“This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans’ living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,” says Manitoba premier Wab Kinew. Already, two people have died in wildfires in that province.

When it comes to human-caused fires, wildfire experts provide some straightforward advice. Start by being familiar with campfire safety. Use designated fire pits and don’t start a fire near an abundance of nearby potential fuel. Keep the fire sheltered from the wind; keep water nearby in case of emergency; and, ensure all fires are extinguished each night.

If you’re in a rural area, ensure you know how to safely burn vegetation or brush or understand how to use burn barrels.

Rules for everyone? Don’t flick smoking materials onto the ground or out a vehicle’s window. Obey all fire bans. Avoid use of explosive materials like fireworks.

If you live in a forested area, ensure you are familiar with the FireSmart guidelines to protect your house, neighbourhood or community. They offer a myriad of tips that can help save properties and lives.

Additionally, experts suggest all levels of government need to work together to share effective strategies, reduce fuel loads and manage forests responsibly.