Officials lifted the wildfire evacuation order for the Rural Municipality of Shellbrook on June 2, 2026, allowing residents to return home [1, 2].
The decision follows a period of high alert in northern Saskatchewan, where the Lobstick Fire threatened local infrastructure and residential areas. The lifting of the order marks a critical transition from emergency response to recovery for the affected community.
Local officials said the order was rescinded after Lobstick Fire activity eased and the blaze was no longer deemed a threat to the area [1, 2]. The fire had grown to a size comparable to the city of Regina [3]. During the height of the emergency, about 130 people were evacuated from their homes near Shellbrook [3].
In addition to residential returns, patients are returning to the Parkland Integrated Health Centre following the lifting of the evacuation [4]. The facility is a vital healthcare hub for the region, and its reopening ensures that medical services are restored to the local population.
While the situation in Shellbrook has stabilized, wildfire activity remains a broader concern across the province. Approximately 1,200 people remain evacuated in other parts of Saskatchewan as authorities continue to manage various active fires [2].
Emergency crews continue to monitor the Lobstick Fire site to prevent reignition. Local officials said they will maintain vigilance as the region recovers from the blaze.
“The Lobstick Fire grew to roughly the size of Regina”
The lifting of the Shellbrook evacuation order demonstrates the volatility of the Saskatchewan wildfire season, where rapid growth—such as the Lobstick Fire reaching the scale of a major city—can be followed by sudden stabilization. However, the fact that over 1,000 people remain displaced across the province indicates that the regional wildfire crisis is not yet over, despite the local success in Shellbrook.
