In 2023, the Lac La Ronge region of Saskatchewan endured one of the most severe wildfire seasons on record, with fires consuming approximately 1.9 million hectares—an area the size of the entire state of New Jersey.
Among the most notable burns was the wildfire near Besnard Lake, west of La Ronge, which forced the evacuation of thousands of people. In addition, thousands of mammals and countless other species perished or were displaced as their habitats were destroyed by the intense heat and smoke, leaving behind scorched earth and a scarred landscape.
We connected with Keewatin Community Development Association (KCDA), a non-profit who work to provide career and economic development opportunities to Communities in Northern Saskatchewan, including Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB).
After personally viewing the aftermath of this burn, Flash Forest decided to prioritize the region for replanting in 2024. The area’s dense, old-growth boreal forests and vulnerable ecosystems highlighted the urgency of restoration.
Planting in the Lac La Ronge region posed unique challenges—fires had left significant underground burning that could reignite, and a dry winter required careful monitoring of ongoing wildfire risks. Despite these hurdles, the project became a defining operational success for Flash Forest, our largest reforestation project ever (590 ha).
As wildfires become more frequent and intense, sites like Lac La Ronge underscore the importance of innovative solutions to protect our forests and Northern communities.
Indigenous Partner: Lac La Ronge Indian Band
Corporate Partner: Telus, Ecosia, La Farge, Molson Coors, Monday, Curaleaf, Mogo, SIGA, Natural Habitat Adventures, KPMG
In partnership with Keewatin Community Development Association (KCDA), a nonprofit committed to advancing careers, education, and economic growth in Northern Saskatchewan, Flash Forest collaborated to restore the area surrounding Lac La Ronge.
We worked with Indigenous owned Boreal Heartland, to employ local community members who collected native seed and cones for the reforestation project. It was the largest seed and cone collection effort ever coordinated for Flash Forest and employed 18 members from Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) in the fall of 2023.
Creating over 3000 hours of work for the community, the members sourced tens of millions of Black Spruce seed from the neighboring regions to reintroduce back into the damaged forests near Lac La Ronge. During our spring planting season, some members were also trained alongside our drone operators to help manage all our field and planting operations.
The project aimed to generate meaningful employment in forest management for a region where only 38% of the population is currently employed.
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