According to the province, the Canadian Red Cross is working with all levels of government and Indigenous leaders to provide accommodations, services, and information to anyone displaced from their homes.

For those needing information or support, people are asked to contact 1-800-863-6582 between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Government of Saskatchewan recently announced they would provide $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross to work with the SPSA to support more than 15,000 residents in the province who have been displaced by wildfires.

For those registered with the SPSA’s Emergency and Community Support program, the amount of financial support has been doubled, according to the province.

The head of household amount will be increased to $40, up from $20, additional members of a household will be increased to $20 up from $10, bringing it to a maximum of $200 per day.

Evacuees who have registered with the program are asked to contact the SPSA at 1-855-559-5502 for information.

During a media briefing Saturday afternoon in Prince Albert, SPSA officials provided an update on the wildfire situation and the supports available for evacuees.

“For the evacuees, they must register with either SPSA or the Canadian Red Cross,” SPSA President and Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard clarified. “Don’t register with both of them.”

“In case of evacuation, please contact your community leaders, community officials, who will help you in those next steps to safely remove or get yourself out of those communities that are impacted.”

While there has been a desire from the public to provide donations to evacuees, SPSA officials said to hold off on that for now, since it may cause disruptions.

“Early next week, I expect that we will have an announcement to direct those great citizens of Saskatchewan who want to help everybody that has been impacted by this and again, I want to thank you for that,” Pritchard said.

SPSA officials will be holding a media briefing on the wildfire situation every day at 1:30 p.m.

In a news release on Saturday, the provincial NDP commented on Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe’s absence at the day’s briefing, while pointing to flaws in the evacuee program.

Of their concerns, the NDP said the program is not universal, and said costs already incurred will not be reimbursed, and noted accessibility concerns.

“Unlike Manitoba and Alberta, where evacuees receive direct financial assistance via E-transfers, Saskatchewan’s program offers no direct payments,” the release read.

While the NDP said it appreciates the government is moving forward to provide support, it claims the program falls short.

“More must be done to ensure wildfire evacuees receive the timely, direct, and accessible financial aid they need.”

In a response to CTV News, the SPSA said it is working to rectify evacuees concerns around reimbursement.

Residents who are being supported by the SPSA are asked to register through the Sask. Evac App.

Evacuees who are staying in SPSA designated hotels will receive, meals, activities, emergency clothing and health support - while those who choose to stay with family and friends are offered groceries at the closest grocery store to where they’re evacuated to, according to the province.

“Those not directly supported by the SPSA will need to contact their home community and/or the third party for assistance,” the statement read.

Finally, the agency said evacuees unsure of who they are being supported by can visit the “Information for Evacuees” webpage on its website.

Following Saturday’s meeting, the SPSA noted that Premier Moe was not scheduled to appear at the briefing and apologized for its advisory that stated he would be attending.

As of Saturday afternoon, there were 24 active wildfires burning in the northern part of Saskatchewan, with only three of them considered contained.

During an online news conference Friday afternoon, Moe said two people have been charged for setting wildfires.

According to Moe, charges were laid in relation to a fire near Weyakwin and fires set in the Smeaton/Snowden area.

“The RCMP have informed us that they have now charged a couple of individuals,” Moe said during the news conference.

RCMP confirmed that two people have been charged with arson in relation to forest fires, though neither appears connected to the massive uncontained blazes that have threatened communities across the province.

A state of emergency is in effect until June 29, 2025 and can be extended if necessary, the province said.