News release

Resource pamphlet - police agencies partner to help wildfire evacuees

July 23, 2025 - Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan
From: Saskatchewan RCMP

Content

Wildfires displaced many residents from Saskatchewan communities and First Nations, leaving evacuees to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. Saskatchewan RCMP have partnered with Saskatoon Police Service, Prince Albert Police Service and the Regina Police Service to create an informational resource to help ensure the safety and security of those who are away from home.

The pamphlet provides information to support the wellbeing of those who may be staying in an unknown community and shares key phone numbers for local and provincial services that be useful to evacuees. The pamphlet also gives insight about how to avoid scams as well as criminals who may try to take advantage of people who are vulnerable or dealing with the difficult circumstance of being evacuated.

The pamphlet will be distributed to evacuation centres across the province and is also available on-line. Evacuees are also encouraged to keep the pamphlet close by for easy reference.

Saskatchewan wildfire response – staying informed, staying safe.

This brochure provides some basic information about how to stay safe if you have been evacuated from your community. It includes key safety tips, emergency contacts, and important phone numbers for resources while away from home.

Don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel unsafe, unsure, or overwhelmed. Leaders from your home community, Red Cross workers, local Indigenous organizations, the Province of Saskatchewan, and the police are all here to help you. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, say something.

Keep this document in an easy-to-find, easy-to-remember place (such as your car, purse, wallet, or bag).

General safety and security tips:

Remembering some basic safety tips can help you stay safe while away from home:

• When walking around a new area, always be aware and alert to your personal security and surroundings. If you feel uncomfortable, sense danger, or notice something suspicious, turn around or take a different route to get to your destination.
• Stay in groups, especially at night, and avoid unfamiliar areas after dark.
• If staying in a hotel, keep your room door locked, don’t share your room number with strangers, and use the in-room safe to store valuables.
• As much as possible, do not display any valuables (cell phones, money) while walking in public.
• Let friends and/or family know where you’re going when you leave your assigned hotel or housing.

Emergency and non-emergency contacts

• 911 in an emergency (24/7)
• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline (24/7) - call or text 988 for bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally- sensitive suicide prevention support
• 811 Saskatchewan HealthLine (24/7): call 811 or if cannot connect to service, dial 1-877-800-0002
• SaskTel Relay Operator service for deaf and hard of hearing operator service: 1-800-855-0511
• 211 Saskatchewan (24/7): call or text 211 for social, mental health and community supports in 17 Indigenous languages and over 175 total languages
• Red Cross Saskatchewan (8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.): 1-800-863-6582
• Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA): Evacuation Support (6:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m.) 1-855-559-5502
• Hope for Wellness Hotline (24/7): Indigenous Peoples wellness services at 1-855-242-3310
• Kids Help Phone (24/7): 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. For an Indigenous crisis responder, text FIRSTNATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 for young people and 741741 for adults
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7): 1-833-900-1010. Confidential services in over 200 languages

• Saskatchewan Drug Alert System: Text JOIN to 1-833-35-B-SAFE (352-7233) to receive Drug Alert notifications

   

Protecting youth and vulnerable communications

Watch for strangers offering money, gifts, drugs, alcohol, or rides to youth – these can be grooming tactics that can lead to abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking. Traffickers often look for people who are separated from their families, desperate for money, or in need of work.

• Young people should avoid parties, gatherings, or going to hotel rooms or other locations (homes/apartments) with people they don’t know – this can be other youth or adults.
• When attending large events or an unfamiliar area with children, make a safety plan on what to do if you get separated. This could involve arranging a common meeting place and instructing children to ask a trusted adult (security guard, police officer) for help if they get lost.
• Report any suspicious behaviour of this nature to police immediately.

Missing persons

Anyone can call to report a missing person including family, loved ones, and care providers. There is no set time you need to wait before reporting. To report a missing person, call the police where you are located:

• Saskatchewan RCMP: 310-RCMP (7267) from anywhere in Saskatchewan
• Saskatoon Police Service (SPS): 306-975-8300
• Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS): 306-953-4222
• Regina Police Service (RPS): 306-777-6500
• Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 (anonymous)

If there is immediate danger, the person is vulnerable, or if they are a young child call 911.

Elder fraud/elder abuse

Don’t give out personal information. Never share bank account details, credit card numbers, Social Insurance Number, Status Card, or other sensitive information to anyone you don’t know and trust.

• If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you receive a phone call from anyone asking for money – HANG-UP. Never send money or gift cards to any person or organization that has contacted you. If you are unsure about who is calling or emailing you, search for their main phone number or email address and call/email them back to verify the request, rather than responding to the message.
• If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, hang up, delete the email, or simply ignore the request. Don’t feel pressured to make any decisions and never send money

Medical safety

• If you feel unwell, don’t wait. Ask for assistance, go to a walk-in clinic, or if it’s urgent, call your local emergency number and request an ambulance.
• Street drugs can be laced with Fentanyl – even one use can be fatal. Never take pills, powders, or substances not prescribed to you
• The Government of Saskatchewan offers a ‘take home naloxone’ kit available free of charge at many locations in the province.

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Media Inquiries: 

Saskatchewan RCMP Media Relations 

639-625-3605 

Quotes

“Our first priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our people. This pamphlet is a critical resource for those displaced by wildfire, offering clear, practical information to help our members stay safe during uncertain times. I encourage everyone to keep it close and share it with family and friends. We stand strong when we stay informed, look out for one another, and face these challenges together.”

Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, Prince Albert Grand Council

“The Saskatchewan RCMP want to ensure the safety and security of wildfire evacuees by equipping them with information, so they know who to reach out to if they need something. This pamphlet provides a useful reference guide and important tips to help ease some of the stress that comes with having to leave your home in an emergency situation.” 

Saskatchewan RCMP

"The Saskatoon Police Service is committed to supporting individuals and families displaced by wildfires. Our goal is to ensure your safety and connect you with the resources you need during your time in our community." 

Saskatoon Police Service