Date: October 10, 2026
Reporter: Emilly Jordan
A northern Saskatchewan man who pleaded guilty to deliberately starting a wildfire that grew into one of the province’s most destructive fires has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Jason Halkett, 30, was sentenced Thursday at Montreal Lake Cree Nation circuit court after pleading guilty in April to arson in connection with the Ditch 2 wildfire, which began near Weyakwin on May 26, 2025.
The fire eventually spread across more than 2,000 square kilometres, or more than 200,000 hectares, damaging structures and forcing residents of several northern communities to evacuate. The communities affected included Weyakwin, Timber Bay, Ramsey Bay and Molanosa.
Court heard that a witness saw Halkett hunched over in a ditch near Highway 2, where a small fire had been started along the tree line. Halkett then walked north along the highway without attempting to extinguish the fire or call for help. A passing SaskPower crew stopped and attempted to contain the flames but was unsuccessful.
Judge Jeffrey Lubyk described Halkett's actions as reckless and said the offence was grave. The court heard that conditions were warm and windy on the day the fire began and that wildfire risks were already considered high.
The Crown had asked the court to impose a 10-year prison sentence, pointing to the extensive destruction caused by the fire and Halkett's previous criminal record. His record included an assault on a hospital security guard and violations of release conditions.
Defence lawyer Evan Strelioff had sought a sentence of approximately three years. He pointed to what he described as significant Gladue factors and said Halkett likely has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which can affect a person's ability to understand the consequences of their actions.
Halkett will not serve the full six years in custody because of credit for time already spent in remand. Reports put the remaining sentence at roughly four years and eight months, although another report described it as just over four and a half years after enhanced remand credit.
Judge Lubyk also recommended that Halkett be allowed to serve part of his sentence at a healing lodge. The final decision on that recommendation rests with Correctional Service Canada.
The court heard from people and organizations affected by the wildfire. A victim impact statement from the Waskesiu and District Chamber of Commerce reported nearly $400,000 in lost business revenue and described the emotional effects of closures in the area.
The band manager of Montreal Lake Cree Nation also told the court that about 200 residents were evacuated, creating significant hardship for families who were forced to leave their homes without essential belongings.
The wildfire also placed a substantial financial burden on the province. Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency figures cited in court showed that more than $10 million was spent fighting the Ditch 2 fire.
The case comes against the backdrop of Saskatchewan's record-breaking 2025 wildfire season. More than 500 wildfires burned nearly three million hectares across the province, while more than 10,000 people were evacuated from more than 50 communities. A provincial auditor's report said the wildfire response cost more than $350 million and involved 916 workers brought in from outside Saskatchewan.
Crown prosecutor Robyn Ermine said the sentencing was significant because it was the first case of its kind in Saskatchewan involving a person being sentenced for deliberately starting a wildfire of such scale. She described the proceeding as precedent-setting while seeking the 10-year sentence.
Despite the severity of the sentence, the judge also recognized Halkett's potential for rehabilitation. While in custody, he has worked on managing his issues and is close to completing his Grade 12 diploma.
The six-year sentence brings a criminal case to a close following a wildfire that displaced residents, damaged communities and consumed more than 200,000 hectares of northern Saskatchewan. The case also highlights the potentially far-reaching consequences of deliberately starting fires during periods of elevated wildfire risk.