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According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) on Friday, wildfires burning to the east of Candle Lake were not expected to reach the community, although the area could be smoky throughout the weekend.
On Thursday, residents of the resort village were asked to prepare for a possible evacuation due to two uncontained wildfires — one just north of Narrow Hills Provincial Park currently at 16,000 hectares and the other north of Smeaton of about 32,000 hectares.
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“We’re going to have easterly winds for the next four days or so,” said SPSA Executive director of land operations for SPSA Bryan Chartrand.
“The fire is still a long distance away and we’re not anticipating it going to affect Candle Lake. We’re doing everything we can at this time,” he said.
“Due to the lack of precipitation, our fire danger rating is really high. These fires have been challenging to suppress and they’ve been quite volatile.”
SPSA is also engaging with communities affected the fires to keep them informed.
Fire band map for May 16, 2025. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)
Chartrand said people travelling for the May long weekend should check the Highway Hotline for road closures and the public safety agency’s website for fire bans.
“We have a provincial fire ban going from the provincial forest all the way north to the Churchill River,” he said.
“South of that, there’s various RM fire restrictions and fire bans as well.”
Mayor of Candle Lake, Colleen Lavoie, said the fires are being monitored and urged the community to stay informed through the SPSA website.
“I hope that people aren’t afraid to come to their cabins,” she said on Friday afternoon. “I don’t think we’re at that point.”
Members of the agency will be at the community curling rink on Saturday at 11 a.m. to answer any questions people have about the fires.
Lavoie expects to see around 4,000 people in the Candle Lake area for the long weekend.
“There’s a steady trail (of vehicles heading) north, people with cabins are coming to check and make sure their cabins are safe,” she said.
Active wildfires map for May 16, 2025. (Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency)
There were 10 active wildfires in the province on Friday afternoon. Four are contained, three are uncontained and two are under ongoing assessment, according to SPSA’s website.
Contained means suppression action is taking place and the fire is not expected to grow in size, ongoing Assessment means the fire is being monitored regularly to assess risk to values in the area and not contained means suppression action is taking place but the fire is expected to grow in size, according to SPSA.
The RM of Torch River issued an update on the fire situation on Friday morning on the status of the Camp Fire, burning along the Hanson Lake Road (Highway 106).The fire has moved in the northern portion of the Smeaton Community Pastures and into the north edge of Kelsey Lake, burning in the northern farmland.
Highway 106 continues to be closed, limiting access for anyone hoping to travel to Creighton or Flin Flon. Alternate routes can include driving on gravel. Range Road 2190 and Grid Road 692 are also closed.
Firebreaks have been finished in the Smeaton Community Pasture, and municipal crews are using heavy equipment east and west of Range Road 2190.
Yesterday, SPSA issued a warning that flying drones in fire zones is illegal and hampers the fire suppression efforts as planes and helicopters must work around them or not fly at all.
— with files from PA Now and CKOM News
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