Photo: There are currently 26 units available, with five more expected to arrive in the coming weeks/Courtesy of Big Ice Services
By: Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
Residents of Denare Beach displaced by the Wolf Fire are beginning to move into temporary housing units as cleanup and recovery efforts progress.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) Recovery Task Team announced this week that residents have started walk-throughs, signing leases, and receiving keys to their new units. The temporary housing plan was first announced in September following an accelerated cleanup of affected properties.
“Ensuring that the residents of Denare Beach who have been displaced by the Wolf Fire have suitable housing is our top priority,” Denare Beach councillor Karen Thompson said. “These temporary units are crucial in supporting this effort. We are grateful to the town of Creighton for their continued support and for providing space for most of the units supplied by the SPSA.”
There are currently 26 units available, with five more expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Of those, 23 are located in Creighton — one serving as a show home — and two in Denare Beach, which are awaiting utility hookups. All units are designated for families or individuals affected by the wildfire.
Thompson said she is encouraged by the progress made in recent months.
“I’m in awe of how the community has come together,” she told SaskToday. “Four months after the fire, the lots are cleaned and levelled, and 14 foundations are ready. Two of our councillors and our CAO lost their homes to the fires, so we see the emotional tole.”
Thompson emphasized the importance of community wellness during recovery. “If you find yourself in a trailer and feeling lonely, lean on your neighbours. We’re ensuring people have a place to connect, have coffee, and take care of one another,” she said.
The community continues to work closely with the SPSA and Canadian Red Cross to provide social supports, wellness programming, and mental health resources.
“Denare Beach has shown strength and resilience as their community works through recovery efforts,” said Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod. “This is one of many challenges the village has overcome and is a milestone to celebrate.”
According to the SPSA, debris cleanup on the 218 affected lots is nearly complete, with more than half now backfilled.
Thompson noted that the village faces a long road ahead, with her estimation of over $20 million in infrastructure replacement needed, including roadways, water and sewer lines, and green space.
“Creighton has become our sister community,” Thompson said. “Our CAOs are talking daily, and Mayor Bruce Fiddler and his team have been incredible partners. My heart is happy with how things have come together.”
To date, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed $30 million over three years to wildfire recovery, including cleanup, debris management, and housing support.