Saskatchewan wildfire review sparks leadership shift
SPSA operations VP steps down after independent audit found major gaps in province's fire response and prevention.
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Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency is losing its vice-president of operations days after a critical independent review exposed significant shortcomings in the province's wildfire management.
Steve Roberts, who has served the province for more than 20 years, is advancing his retirement date to June 30, the SPSA said. The agency did not directly link his departure to the release of an independent report by accounting firm MNP examining the province's 2025 fire season response.
The MNP review, released last week, found Saskatchewan had "significant gaps" in prevention, mitigation, and emergency preparedness. Saskatchewan's 2025 wildfire season was the second worst on record, with more than 500 fires burning approximately 2.9 million hectares and forcing roughly 10,000 people from their homes. About 400 homes were destroyed in Denar Beach, near the Manitoba boundary.
"After reading this 107-page review, it is clear the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency must do better," said Michael Weger, the minister responsible for the SPSA, when the report was released. The government has committed to investing in the report's recommendations, which include hiring additional full-time staff for winter wildfire mitigation and summer firefighting support.
The SPSA said it will begin searching for a replacement for Roberts immediately and start implementing 11 priority actions directed by the Saskatchewan government based on the review's findings.