The morning commute turned into chaos yesterday as smoke billowed across Highway 3 west of Prince Albert, forcing officials to close a major transportation artery that connects communities across central Saskatchewan. Standing at the roadblock, I watched as RCMP officers redirected frustrated drivers while ash drifted through the air like early snow.
“We had no choice but to shut it down,” explained Sergeant Kim Robillard of the Prince Albert RCMP detachment. “Visibility dropped to near-zero in some sections, and the fire was moving unpredictably with yesterday’s wind shifts.”
The closure affects a 47-kilometer stretch between Prince Albert and the junction with Highway 55, cutting off a crucial route for residents of Shellbrook, Big River, and several Indigenous communities who rely on Prince Albert for medical services, groceries, and employment.
Local business owner Melissa Cardinal, who operates a hardware store in Shellbrook, described the immediate economic impact. “Half my staff couldn’t make it in today. We’re already running low on some inventory because delivery trucks can’t get through. If this lasts more than a few days, a lot of businesses up here will really feel it.”
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Highways confirmed the closure came after consultation with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and local fire departments when the wildfire, which started three days ago from a suspected lightning strike, grew to cover nearly 2,200 hectares. The blaze remains classified as “not contained” according to the latest provincial wildfire update.
For the Mistawasis First Nation, located northwest of Prince Albert, the highway closure creates particular hardship. Chief Daryl Watson told me by phone that over 30% of community members make daily trips to Prince Albert for work or essential services.
“Our community health shuttle can’t make its regular trips for dialysis patients and medical appointments,” Watson said. “We’re working with provincial emergency services to arrange alternative transportation, but in the meantime, some vulnerable people are stuck without access to care.”
At Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, administrators report several staff members were unable to make their shifts, putting additional strain on healthcare workers who were already covering for colleagues on vacation during the summer months.
Climate scientists have linked the increasing frequency of wildfires in Saskatchewan to changing weather patterns. According to Environment Canada, the region has experienced temperatures 3-5 degrees above seasonal norms for the past month, with precipitation at just 60% of average levels.
“What we’re seeing matches climate modeling predictions for the prairie provinces,” noted Dr. Pamela Thurston, climatologist at the University of Saskatchewan. “These conditions—hot, dry, with periodic high winds—create perfect conditions for wildfires to start and spread rapidly.”
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has deployed eight water bombers and three helicopter units to combat the blaze, with firefighting crews working around the clock. Agency spokesperson Jeff Dizik said the situation remains “dynamic” but expressed cautious optimism about containing the fire if weather conditions cooperate.
“We’re expecting a shift in wind direction and possibly some precipitation in the next 48 hours, which could help firefighting efforts significantly,” Dizik explained during yesterday’s media briefing in Regina.
For trucking companies, the closure means costly detours. Big Prairie Hauling, which operates a fleet of 23 trucks based in Prince Albert, estimates each diverted trip adds approximately 87 kilometers and nearly $200 in fuel costs alone.
“We’ve had to reroute everything through Highways 55 and 2,” said operations manager Trevor Lowen. “That’s burning extra diesel at a time when margins are already tight. Some deliveries that were supposed to arrive yesterday won’t make it until tomorrow.”
Saskatchewan Agriculture has also expressed concern about livestock operations in the affected area, with at least six commercial cattle operations potentially in the path of the fire if wind conditions change. Provincial veterinarians are coordinating with producers on evacuation plans for animals if the situation deteriorates.
At the Sturgeon Lake First Nation, located just north of the fire zone, community members have begun preliminary evacuation planning, though no official evacuation order has been issued. Elder Margaret Stonechild, 73, remembers the last major fire that threatened the community in 2015.
“We can smell the smoke already,” she said. “The last time, we had just minutes to grab what we could and leave. This time we’re packing important things early—medicines, documents, family photos.”
The Prince Albert Grand Council has activated its emergency response team and is coordinating with affected First Nations to ensure members have access to necessary resources and support.
Provincial officials could not provide an estimated reopening time for the highway, saying it depends entirely on firefighting progress and safety assessments. The Saskatchewan Highway Hotline is being updated regularly, and drivers are encouraged to check conditions before traveling anywhere in the region.
For now, communities on both sides of the closure are adapting as best they can, with many residents offering spare rooms to stranded workers and sharing transportation to maximize limited resources. Local radio station CKBI has extended its regular news programming to provide hourly updates on the fire situation and road conditions.
As evening fell yesterday, the orange glow of the fire was visible from several kilometers away, a sobering reminder of nature’s power and the interconnectedness of Saskatchewan’s communities. The smoke hung in the air like a question mark, with residents on both sides of the closure wondering when normal life might resume.
