Beginning in May 2025 and throughout the summer, wildfires forced the evacuation of many communities in Saskatchewan, including Creighton and Denare Beach.
While some communities escaped major damage, others like Denare Beach continue to rebuild. One year later, residents across the region are navigating various phases of recovery.
Residents Coming Together for Community Events in Denare Beach
In Denare Beach, community events have been a way for residents to reconnect after months of displacement and uncertainty.
Mel Durette, recreation director in Denare Beach, Saskatchewan.
Photo: Angela Hill / Canadian Red Cross
Mel Durette, a recreation director in Denare Beach hosts a monthly bingo night along with other recreational community events to bring the community together.
“You’re so used to seeing everybody and now you’re all spread apart everywhere, so it’s nice for them to get to see everybody,” said Mel.
Mel and her family lost their home in the fires. They are receiving personalized recovery support from the Red Cross. Mel also works with Canadian Red Cross grant teams to support community events.
“Red Cross has been amazing with us. They’ve helped us with our bingo nights, our paint nights, dinners,” she said. “They’ve just been with us the whole step of the way, it’s been nice.”
Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts in Denare Beach
Denare Beach councillor Karen Thomson explains that many homes were lost as a result of the wildfires last summer. Now many are going through the rebuilding process.“The vastness will slowly dissipate. I’m looking forward to a summer of rebuilding and regrowth and people getting their lives back in order,” she said.
Photo: Angela Hill / Canadian Red Cross
While some residents are rebuilding homes and properties lost in the wildfires, recovery continues to look different for everyone. Some people are working to figure out their next steps and decisions on what comes next.
“That is one thing with Red Cross, they have made themselves available in Creighton for residents that are dealing with insurance problems and doing case management work with them,” she said.
Supporting Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Through Recovery
The Canadian Red Cross also has a Support for Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program designed to help those impacted by the 2025 Saskatchewan wildfires. This program helps to support with emergency expenses experienced upon returning home and working to reopen.Les Oystryk, owner and tour guide of Beaver City Tours, which brings visitors to Saskatchewan’s only gold rush settlement, had to cancel his entire 2025 season following the wildfire evacuations.
“That presented a whole lot of disappointments, and a loss of business for, you know, quite a few weeks after that,” he explained.
Les Oystryk, owner and tour guide of Beaver City Tours.
Photo: Angela Hill / Canadian Red Cross
After learning about the Red Cross program, Les applied for support. He said he appreciated having an organization available to help small business owners recover and move forward. “I’m hoping to have a really good year in 2026,” he said.
The Canadian Red Cross knows from experience that support for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations is essential to the recovery of people and communities affected by a disaster.
Communities Continue Moving Forward
The experiences of Mel and Les remind us that the impacts of wildfires can be long lasting and recovery takes time. As communities mark one year after the 2025 Saskatchewan wildfires, recovery efforts continue for residents, families, community organizations and small businesses alike.
While recovery looks different for everyone, community connections and recovery programs help people move forward.
Learn more about available recovery programming and support for the 2025 Saskatchewan wildfires.
