UPDATE 3 | June 6, 2025 @ 1715 PT

CANDLE LAKE – SHOE FIRE

The DITCH2 FIRE and the SHOE FIRE merged together as of today, which is located near Little Bear Lake and about 11 km from the Village of Smeaton in Saskatchewan, Canada. Fire Officials state the fire is expected to reach Candle Lake within three to ten days.

The Fire started on May 7, 2025, and as of June 1, 2025, the fire burned up to 407,956 ha. Crews are working on constructing control lines along Hwy 120.

The fire has damaged assets located at:

  • East Trout Lake
  • Piprell Lake
  • Gem Lakes
  • Baldy Lake
  • Upper Fishing Lake
  • Lower Fishing Lake
  • Candle Lake
  • Whiteswan Lake
  • Little Bear Lake

LITTLE BEAR LAKE AREA

Backburn ignitions by the runway were successful, and the crew has been working around Moose Horn Lodge. The Little Bear Lake Area and Moose Horn Areas were cleaning up from ignitions on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

CREIGHTON AREA

Great news: no structure losses have been reported. Sprinklers are being constructed and placed in communities to assist with structure protection. Crews are tirelessly patrolling and working to locate/put out hotspots.

DENARE BEACH AREA

Sprinklers were moved to the south side of the community. Patrols are roving and looking for/putting out hotspots. SaskTel is working on its cell tower, and SaskPower is conducting a damage assessment. Power outages reported for: Stanley Mission, Missinipe, Sucker River and rural areas of north of La Ronge. Restored power to: Weyakwin, Hall Lake, Waskeiu, Montreal Lake, Elk Ridge, and Timber Bay.

According to sources with the SasLakes.ca state the following interesting Friday Fire Facts are stated:

  • 24 active wildfires
  • 247 fires to date
  • Losses: 400 (267 confirmed) valued assets
  • Arrests: 1 charged with starting along the HWY near Smeaton, another person charged with the connection of the Ditch2 Fire

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UPDATE 3 | June 6, 2025, 1700 PT

According to information via the Resort Village of Candle Lake on June 3, 2025, they put out a statement that the Village had declared a state of emergency and was asking folks to voluntarily evacuate. The Fire was said to be about 14km from Candle Lake (about 8.7 miles). Current size: 471,418 ha. (1,164,900 acres).

Fire Map / Photo Credit | Rural Municipality of Torch River No. 488

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UPDATE 2 | June 6, 2025, 0635 PT Friday

The Camp and Shoe Fires merged on 5/27/2025, which is near Little Bear Lake / 11 km from the Village of Smeaton in Saskatchewan, Canada.

We have been told Candle Lake is under a voluntary evacuation order and deleted it from the mandatory evacuation info from Thursday’s update.

——————————————— RESOURCES —————————————————

PREPARE TO LEAVE

• Secure propane tanks, shut off non-essential power, and remove flammable items from decks and yards if time permits.

• Monitor updates via:

o www.candlelake.ca

o Facebook: @ResortVillageOfCandleLake

o SaskAlert mobile app

PLEASE REGISTER YOUR DEPARTURE

1. Register your departure so responders know your residence is vacant.

o Online: https://candlelake.ca/p/pre-evacuation-registration-

o Phone: 306-929-2236 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.)

o Email: info@candlelake.ca

2. Provide:

o Names of all occupants leaving

o Civic address in Candle Lake

o Current contact phone, email, and location where you can be reached.

STAY INFORMED: IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Village staff receive SPSA situation reports twice daily and will post confirmed updates at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., or sooner if conditions change.

For assistance or questions, contact the Resort Village Office at 306-929-2236.

Pre-Evacuation Registration Link https://candlelake.ca/p/pre-evacuation-registration-

Saskatchewan Wildfire Inquiry Line: 1-855-559-5502

For issues downloading the Sask Evac App, call 1-855-559-5500 https://app.saskecs.ca/

Download SK Alert to receive important messages in the event of a mandatory evacuation. https://www.saskpublicsafety.ca/at-home/saskalert

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep Candle Lake safe.

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UPDATE 1 | June 5, 2025, Thursday

1835 PDT: Firefighters and equipment from Nova Scotia have sent resources to help those who are battling this wildfire, one of many in the Country. The fire is said to be considered as burning uncontrollably. It is said to be one of the largest wildfires burning in all of Canada, over 534,170 (5/28/2025) acres. There is a 0% containment status. Due to the large smoke plumes, it is starting to head down to the United States. Some warnings are being issued by our weather forecasters.

Active evacuation orders are in effect for the following areas:

  • Timber Bay
  • Molanosa

Evacuation Warning:

  • RM of Paddockwood Effective 6/5/2025-6/12/2025 (Source; Alertable.CA)

Incident Cooperators:

  • BC Wildfire
  • Nova Scotia (Photo Credit: DNR)
  • Smeaton and District Fire & Rescue
  • Nipawin Legion #319 (firefighters union)

Weblinks/Public Information:

Fire Update: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3846531928896786&set=a.1878516509031681

SaskAlert (Alertable Canada): https://alertable.ca/…

(c) 2025 NW FIRE BLOG