Man who started Saskatchewan wildfire receives six-year sentence

A Saskatchewan man has been sentenced to six years in prison for igniting a wildfire in northern Saskatchewan a year ago. Jason Halkett, 30, pleaded guilty to the arson charge and was sentenced this week. The fire, which occurred in May 2025, started in Weyakwin, northeast of Saskatoon, when Halkett set grass and trees ablaze. The blaze, known as the Ditch 2 wildfire, caused significant damage to structures and prompted the evacuation of several northern communities.

The fire also devastated over 2,000 square kilometres of land. Halkett is to serve his sentence in a penitentiary. This news report, originally published by The Canadian Press on October 9, 2026, provides the details of the case.