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As wildfires continue to burn across Western Canada, Unifor members in Saskatchewan are playing a vital role in helping northern residents reach safety—often while fleeing the flames themselves.
Pilots represented by Unifor Local 1604 at Rise Air have been flying in and out of threatened northern communities including La Ronge, Fond du Lac, Stoney Rapids, Wollaston Lake, and Uranium City. These pilots, based in La Ronge, Stoney Rapids, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon, are responsible for transporting workers to remote mining operations, moving supplies, and operating medevac aircraft in the region.
As fires approached La Ronge on June 2, Rise Air pilots completed critical flights out of the community, despite 75–80 km/h gusts and growing smoke. The final pilot left La Ronge just ahead of the encroaching fire. Several pilots had to leave their homes behind to continue flying, evacuating without personal belongings or vehicles to prioritize getting aircraft out safely.
"These pilots showed remarkable courage and commitment under pressure," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "They not only helped others escape but, in many cases, put themselves at greater risk to do it. That’s the kind of solidarity and selflessness our union is built on."
Across the region, Unifor members have faced their own displacements. Members of Local 649 at SaskEnergy and SaskPower were evacuated from La Ronge. In addition, some members of Local 2-S from the communities of La Ronge, Creighton, and Flin Flon have also been forced from their homes due to fire threats.
“Workers and their families across Western Canada are deeply concerned about the communities impacted by the fires,” said Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “We applaud the effort of Rise Air pilots and stand ready to offer assistance to those evacuated from their homes.”
Unifor has not received reports of evacuations from the Orano uranium mine, where members of Local 48 work on a fly-in, fly-out rotation. These workers remain reliant on the same Rise Air flights for safe passage in and out of the remote camps.
Wildfires have scorched more than two million of hectares in Western Canada so far this season, prompting multiple evacuation orders across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Unifor continues to monitor the situation and will share updates as more information becomes available.
