A 29-year-old man from La Ronge has pleaded guilty to arson in connection with a major wildfire that swept through the Weyakwin area last summer, forcing the evacuation of several communities.
Guilty plea entered in Montreal Lake
Jason Halkett entered the plea on April 9 during a court appearance in Montreal Lake, a community north of Prince Albert, according to the Prince Albert provincial court. The charge stems from the Ditch 2 fire, which ignited on May 26, 2025, and rapidly spread across the region.
RCMP arrested Halkett in Saskatoon in August 2025 after an investigation by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency determined the wildfire was human-caused. The blaze scorched more than 203,000 hectares of land and destroyed structures in the communities of Molanosa, Ramsey Bay, Timber Bay and Weyakwin. Over 100 residents were forced to flee their homes as the fire advanced.
Investigation and court proceedings
The Waskesiu RCMP detachment led the investigation, working closely with Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency investigators. Halkett was charged shortly after his arrest and has remained in custody. His sentencing is scheduled for May 7 in Montreal Lake.
The Ditch 2 fire was one of the most destructive wildfires in the region during the 2025 season, prompting a coordinated response from provincial and local authorities. The guilty plea brings a measure of closure to the affected communities, though the full impact of the fire continues to be felt.
