Fire fighters still made time for training after responding to two other calls. (Image Credit: Facebook/Lakeland & District Fire Dept.)

By Susan McNeil

Busy 24 hours

Lakeland firefighters help land helicopter in school soccer field, respond to moose collision

Jun 13, 2026 | 10:49 AM

It was an eventful 24 hours for members of the Lakeland & District Fire Department, who first helped the STARS helicopter land in the soccer field at Christopher Lake Public School and later responded to two vehicles that hit the same moose.

According to the department’s social media posts, firefighters were called at 12:55 a.m. on June 12 to help the STARS helicopter land in the Village of Christopher Lake following a last-minute flight diversion.

The helicopter had to circle above while firefighters ensured the landing zone was safe.

“Once crews verified there were no hazards in the landing zone, STARS was guided to the ground on the soccer field at Christopher Lake Public School,” the department said.

Parkland Ambulance brought the patient to the field and, after an assessment, firefighters helped transfer the patient into the helicopter to be taken to hospital.

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Later that day, at 10:45 p.m., crews were dispatched to a vehicle-versus-moose collision 10 kilometres north of Christopher Lake.

Before they arrived, however, a second vehicle had hit the same moose, which was still in the roadway.

Firefighters provided traffic control while Parkland Ambulance cared for the occupants of both vehicles.

Once the patients were taken to hospital, crews cleaned up vehicle debris and the moose’s remains.

Despite all that, firefighters still managed to take part in a two-evening course on how to extricate people from vehicles.

Training is a vital part of the work firefighters do, the department said.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

Lakeland firefighters help land helicopter in school soccer field, respond to moose collision

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