Work continues to protect communities in northern Saskatchewan from wildfires. (La Ronge Regional Fire Dept/Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

Monday wildfire update

Precipitation stalls some wildfire growth; repatriation begins in Pelican Narrows

Jun 9, 2025 | 12:57 PM

There are currently 25 active wildfires burning in the province; six are not contained.

The Shoe Fire burning about 10 km away from Candle Lake is now over 500,000 hectares in size.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency reported Monday limited visible smoke on the fire due to widespread precipitation. Heavy equipment and crews works worked slopover north of Whelan Bay. A slopover is where a fire crosses an intended control line or natural barrier, like a fireline or a ridge. Crews also continue to mop up and demobilize equipment around Little Bear Lake and Moose Horn Lodge.

“Structure protection equipment was demobilized from East Trout Lake. Crews and heavy equipment continued mop up on slopover east of Highway 106,” the daily wildfire bulletin read.

The Resort Village of Candle Lake said as a result of 25 mm of rainfall over the weekend, the fire is not expected to grow until the area dries and the fire becomes active again. That’s not expected to occur for two to three days which will give SPSA crews a chance to attack the fire more directly. They will be concentrating efforts along the western flank, north of the Torch River and on the Southwest corner.

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Aerial and ground crews work together to tackle the flames. (La Ronge and District Fire Department/Facebook)

The Jaysmith fire, northeast of Missinipe, is 139,503 hectares. It received precipitation in the last 24 hours and cold temperatures, but crews are monitoring it close to the community of Brabant to check if there is any visible smoke in the area.

The Pisew fire, west of La Ronge grew about 20,000 hectares overnight to 181,765 ha. Crews continue value protection efforts in Napatak and patrolling for hot areas in Sucker River, English Bay, Wadin Bay and Nemeiben Lake. Mop up continues along the dozer guard west of La Ronge.

The Ditch02 fire, north of Weyakwin, is measuring 153,605 hectares. Crews are looking at options for constructing fire lines north of Ramsay Lake to Meyakumew Lake. The SPSA said repatriation of the evacuee area is being considered.

The La Ronge and District Fire Department said in a Facebook post that this fire event is much worse than those experienced by the area in 2015. (La Ronge and District Fire Department/Facebook)

While it is not yet contained, the Pelican2 fire, northeast of Pelican Narrows, hasn’t grown in size and is still sitting at 34,028 hectares. Work is being done to prevent the blaze from breaching Jan Lake. On Sunday night, the highway from Smeaton to Pelican Narrows was reopened and evacuees who drove themselves were allowed to return home. Repatriation efforts continue today for healthy evacuees. Children, expecting moms, the elderly or anyone with health issues are being advised not to return at this time.

The Wolf fire, west of Denare Beach has charred 130,822 hectares so far. Crews continue to work hot spots on the golf course and western sector doing mainly mop-up. The community values protection is still deployed and two additional Type 2 crew members are working at Denare Beach with the existing crew.

The Club fire, north of Creighton has charred more than 60,000 hectares between Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The SPSA said crews will continue to service and set up value protection units in the community of Creighton.

To date there have been 256 wildfires this year, which is almost double the normal fire volume with a five-year average of 145. The total amount of values destroyed so far this year is 295.

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