“The volunteers are heroes to me”

In late May, 2025, the residents of the remote Saskatchewan town of Denare Beach were told to evacuate.

The out-of-control Wolf Fire was on its way, threatening the community of 850 people located in the northern part of the province about 400 kilometres from Saskatoon.

All that stood between the fire and the total destruction of the town were 11 volunteer firefighters.

One of those firefighters was Steven Harrison, a 45-year-old former mine worker, single dad, and grandfather.

“Everyone else pulled out, but we stayed back to fight the fire,” he said, recalling the 20-hour days they put in as they tried to hold back the flames.

It was to no avail. On June 2, the firefighters were also ordered to evacuate; the fire was too large to be contained.

As he drove through thick smoke and embers to find safety, Steven knew that his house would probably be lost.

“It was gutting,” he said of that realization.

A week later, when residents returned, they found that half of the town—over 200 structures on the south side along the lake—had been destroyed. “The amount of devastation was incredible,” Steven said.

A year later, Steven stood on the main floor of his new house, being built for him by volunteers from Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS).

Steven Harrison stands on the floor of his new house being built by MDS volunteers in Denare Beach, Sask.

The walls were not yet up; in every direction he could see empty lots where his neighbour’s homes once stood. But now it’s just dirt that was used to cover up and fill in where houses, trees, parks, and playgrounds used to be—with the occasional new house being built here and there.

“People say we were heroes,” he quietly said of how people in the town regard those who battled the fire. “But the volunteers are heroes to me.”

Why does he feel that way? “I stayed because it was my job,” he said. “But the volunteers are freely giving their time to come and help people they don’t even know. They are true heroes to me.”

As a thank-you, Steven—an avid fisherman and hunter—held a fish fry for volunteers in mid-May, an event that has become somewhat of a weekly tradition on the project.

“It means so much to me that they came up here to help,” he said. “It’s a way for me to say thanks and give them a taste of the north.”

Steven is one of five homeowners MDS is building for in Denare Beach. Another is Mike Durette and his partner, Mel, and their two children.

Mike Durette working alongside MDS Canada Executive Director, Reynold Friesen, as MDS helps to build the foundation for their new home in Denare Beach, Sask.

At first, the 46-year-old mine worker thought his home, located on a hill on the east side of town, would be safe.

But the fire swept around from the back and destroyed it—sparing his garage, located about 30 feet from his house, along with his neighbour’s house right next door.

The family lost everything. “What are you going to do?” said Mike with a shrug. “We just have to get on with life.”

Insurance will pay most of the cost of a ready-to-move house, but not for a new foundation—MDS volunteers made the forms and helped pour the concrete. In fall, the family’s new house will be placed on the foundation after which they can move in.

“It’s amazing what they are doing,” said Mike, a member of the Mistawasis First Nation. “What they are doing is a big help. It’s huge.”

For Karen Thomson, Deputy Mayor of Denare Beach, the service of the volunteers is welcome.

Karen Thomson, Deputy Mayor of Denare Beach, Sask.

“They reinforce my belief that there are still some kind people in the world. They came here with such warmth and tenderness. It’s special,” she said.

A passionate long-time resident of the town, Karen doesn’t want the community to only be known for the devastation caused by the fire. “I also want people to know how we are rebounding and rebuilding,” she said.

The scene outside the town office illustrates her point; by late May, 68 building permits had already been issued—MDS received five of them.

“It’s amazing to see the speed at which people are rebuilding,” she said. “It’s hard to keep pace.”

At the same time, many residents are still struggling with the stress of dealing with insurance companies and grieving their many losses. “Everyone grieves differently and at their own speed,” she said, noting that she is paying special attention to the mental health challenges of people in the community.

“Out of the ashes, we are seeing hope and promise to help us get on our way,” she added.

John Longhurst, MDS writer