A tanker drops fire retardant on a wildfire in Saskatchewan. (submitted/SPSA)

By Susan McNeil

Wildfires

Several roads still closed by fires near Candle Lake, Smeaton as May long weekend starts

May 16, 2025 | 12:00 PM

The first camping long weekend of the year has reached the Saskatchewan lake country, complete with fire bans and road closures.

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 continues to be active and is being managed by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.

It 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.

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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.

The SPSA’s emergency response team is working near Smeaton with local authorities to protect structures that might be threatened by the fire.

Yesterday, the 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.

A pre-evacuation alert was issued for Candle Lake several days ago. Access to the community is still available for campers and residents, but people are being warned to be prepared to leave and to have alternate accommodations in mind for themselves and any animals in their care.

Smoke is being pushed by winds coming from the north into Smeaton, Choiceland and Garrick.

Updated forecasts from Environment Canada on Friday morning show the area won’t see rain until Monday.

The SPSA is currently fighting or monitoring 12 wildfires, but no evacuation orders have been issued.

Seven fires are contained, two are being assessed and three are not contained. Two of the uncontained fires are the Camp Fire, which is 32,000 hectares in size and the Shoe Fire, slightly to the north and is 16,000 hectares.

A smaller fire in between is one hectare in size and is still categorized as under assessment.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BllueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social