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Prescribed Fires Ignite Renewal in Saskatoon's Prairies
28 Oct
Summary
- Prescribed burn conducted to enhance habitat for endangered beetle
- Saskatoon is a hub for controlled burns in Western Canada
- Participants from 27 agencies gathered to learn safe fire management
On October 28, 2025, a group of around 20 people wearing hard hats and safety gear gathered at Cranberry Flats, south of Saskatoon, to set the conservation area on fire. This prescribed burn, part of the Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) event in Saskatoon, is expected to benefit the local prairie environment.
The controlled fire quickly turned the brown grassland black, but this "good fire" will work like medicine for nature, boosting the health of the prairie ecosystem. Saskatoon is one of the hubs of prescribed fire in Western Canada, with land managers, ranchers, and firefighters from 27 different agencies participating in the 5-day TREX event to learn safe fire management techniques.
The prescribed burn aims to enhance the habitat for species at risk, like the Gibson's Big Sand Tiger Beetle, by opening up and exposing more sand on the site. It will also reduce the fire risk for the public who frequently visit Cranberry Flats. Careful planning and meticulous execution are crucial for these controlled burns, which have been conducted in the Saskatoon area for nearly 30 years.
