A picturesque view of Candle Lake taken on May 27. (Nick Nielsen/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fire response

Resort Village of Candle Lake declares State of Emergency

Jun 3, 2025 | 4:27 PM

With a massive nearby wildfire showing no signs of slowing down, the Resort Village of Candle Lake has Declared a State of Emergency.

As per the latest update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), the Shoe Fire is now less than 14 km from Candle Lake and is about 470,000 hectares in size.

Tuesday’s notice went out just after 3 p.m. and allows for the village to make decisions quickly and access disaster relief funding. It also gives the council the authority to order a mandatory evacuation.

The SPSA suggests no mandatory evacuation is recommended at this time; the voluntary evacuation advisory remains in effect.

These are images showing various sections of the Candle Lake fire break being constructed. (Facebook/ Eric Schmalz)

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While still voluntary, the resort village is recommending residents of Minowukaw to relocate outside their neighbourhood with friends and family. Values protection is now set up in Minowukaw.

If a mandatory evacuation order is issued it would be declared by the Resort Village of Candle Lake Council and only on the formal advice of the SPSA.

“Should that decision become necessary, we will provide residents with as much advance notice as conditions allow and will communicate detailed instructions through our website, e-news alerts, social media channels, and local media partners,” CAO Brent Lutz said.

Residents who would not have a place to go if a mandatory evacuation order is issued, are encouraged to contact the Resort Village as soon as possible.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social