The Prince Albert RCMP say a 35-year-old man from Little Red River First Nation was arrested near the scene of a large grass fire and is now facing charges.

On Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. RCMP were notified by Buckland Fire and Rescue regarding a grass fire burning along Highway #2, approximately 5 kilometers North of Prince Albert. And initial reports indicated that the grass fire may have been intentionally set. Investigation determined the fire was human caused.

In a news release Sgt. Dan Lozinski with the Prince Albert RCMP detachment says situations like this are gravely concerning in light of the devastating fire season Northern Saskatchewan has experienced.

Larry Bird is charged with one count, arson – damage to property and one count, failure to comply with the conditions of a probation order, to not possess incendiary devices such as lighters or matches.

There are 39 wildfires burning in Saskatchewan as of 11:00 this morning and two are not contained. There have been 482 wildfires to date. At this time last year there were 567 while the five-year average is 418.