CAF Celebrates 10 Years Since Operation Lentus with Tree Planting

A ceremonial tree planting took place at Prince Albert City Hall on February 15, 2025, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the devastating wildfires in Northern Saskatchewan. The tree, an Ohio Buckeye, serves not only as a reminder of the destruction caused by the wildfires but also as a symbol of gratitude for the efforts of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) during this challenging time.

The event featured a prayer and a traditional smudging ceremony for attendees and the tree itself. Local and provincial dignitaries, including Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Alana Ross, joined CAF personnel to reflect on the significance of the occasion. Ross emphasized the collective strength exhibited during the wildfires, stating, “The scale of the crisis was overwhelming, and yet communities, governments, and first responders from all levels became united for a powerful response. When our government asked for assistance, the Canadian Armed Forces stepped up.”

The wildfire season of 2015 was one of the most severe on record in Saskatchewan. More than 700 fires ravaged approximately 1.8 million hectares of land, leading to the evacuation of over 50 northern communities and around 13,000 people. This marked the largest evacuation in the province’s history and triggered Operation Lentus 15-02, which saw approximately 850 CAF members deployed to assist local firefighting teams.

These personnel played a vital role in conducting fire line operations, extinguishing hotspots around vulnerable communities, and providing logistical support. The operation was deemed successful, with no lives lost during this critical period.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Graver, Commanding Officer of the North Saskatchewan Regiment, attended the ceremony and shared his experiences from the 2015 deployment. “This operation is something that I’m very proud of,” he remarked. “I remember at the time, trying to rally the troops to volunteer, saying, ‘This is a no-fail task, this is the home game.’ What I meant by that was this is a domestic operation. It’s on our home turf, and we’re there to help secure and protect Canadians.”

Graver led a domestic response company composed of soldiers from Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, all part of the 38 Canadian Brigade Group, Canada’s largest brigade group. Reflecting on their work in La Ronge, Graver noted, “We did our daily tasks of wildfire fighting, information gathering, and delivering community support. To this day, I still run into people from that area, and they’re still very thankful for the military assistance provided in that operation.”

As wildfires continue to pose a growing threat across Canada, Graver indicated that military responses to such emergencies are likely to become more common. This past summer, approximately 400 soldiers were deployed to Northern Saskatchewan to tackle more than 480 wildfires. By early September 2025, wildfires had already scorched more than three million hectares of land.

“We, in the Canadian Armed Forces, train for these types of deployments, both foreign and domestic,” Graver stated. “We need to always protect our homeland, our borders, and our people above all else. This is why these types of deployments are so important to our soldiers and why I’m so proud of the support we provide to Northern Saskatchewan in these types of deployments.”

The tree planted at City Hall now stands as a lasting tribute, symbolizing resilience and the collective efforts that emerged from one of the most challenging periods in Saskatchewan’s recent history.