A water bomber skims Emma Lake while fighting wildfires nearby. (Facebook)
Christopher Lake area

Wildfires force evacuations near Christopher Lake

May 27, 2025 | 8:47 PM

The area around Dochylo road in the Rural Municipality of Paddockwood has been evacuated. The order came into effect earlier tonight.

The Lakeland and District Fire Department said property owners in the area are being asked to register at the Lakeland Fire Hall in the Village of Christopher Lake.

Also on Tuesday, pre-evacuation alerts were issued for South Shore Estates, Sunnyside Grove, Keystone Park, Ambrose Trailer Park, Spruce Meadows, and all south areas of Emma Lake, Spruce Point, and Doran Park.

However later in the evening, as the situation improved, the pre-evacuation advisory was lifted.

The cause of the evacuation is a wildfire that started in Little Red River Reserve and made its way into the RM of Paddockwood.

At approx 4:35 a.m. on May 27, Lakeland Fire was dispatched to a wildland fire threatening structures on Little Red River Reserve. The fire has now spread into the RM of Paddockwood. (Lakeland & District Fire Department/Facebook)

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s emergency response map also shows two wildfires currently burning near Christopher and Emma Lakes. One of them started May 23 and is currently 375 hectares in size and is not contained. The other fire started May 22 and is considered contained at only eight hectares. Both fires were human caused.

Crews from the Lakeland & District Fire Department have been battling wildfires in the Christopher and Emma Lake area for a couple weeks. (Lakeland & District Fire/Facebook)

Meanwhile, members of the Prince Albert Fire Department (PAFD) are assisting crews from Buckland Fire and Rescue battling a blaze burning near the pulp mill.

PAFD Battalion Chief Jay Zablocki said it’s an ongoing fire that continues to flare up with the winds. He told paNOW there are concerns about a possible change in wind direction Wednesday. The forecast from Environment Canada also shows temperatures hovering around 30 C and no chance of precipitation until Friday.

This fire burning near the pulp mill has been flaring up on and off for several days. (paNOW/File photo)

Zablocki said city firefighters are also on Hwy 302 East responding to a bush fire with help from water hauling contractors.

He said crews have also been on scene of a smouldering fire near the wastewater treatment plant, however the facility is not at risk.

Click here for more news and information about wildfires in the area. If you have pictures or videos of wildfires, you can submit them through our wildfire page or email them to panews@pattisonmedia.com.

panews@pattisonmedia.com

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