Community north of Candle Lake under evacuation order

An evacuation order has been issued for areas of Whelan Bay, which is 35 minutes north of Candle Lake.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) issued the evacuation order at 3:08 p.m., due to a wildfire that is threatening the residents and vacationers.

The wildfire — which sparked into life at 1 p.m. — is fast moving and individuals who reside, camp or work in the Whelan Bay (White Swan Lake) subdivisions or campgrounds are required to evacuate immediately.

All evacuees are asked to register at the Candle Lake Community Hall.

The SPSA told paNOW the fire is 55 hectares in size and is located approximately five kilometres to the west of the community at Whelan Bay.

Community officials are going door to door requesting co-operation on the evacuation.

The mayor of Candle Lake, Terry Kostyna, told paNOW that community has emergency preparedness staff in place to welcome evacuees.

He said it was his understanding from talking with the SPSA that everyone heading south from Whelan Bay towards Candle Lake should register at the Candle Lake community hall, regardless of whether they intend to stay or move on.

“So as I understand it, they can take an inventory of who has been through or out, so they can keep track of people,” Kostyna said.

Asked if Candle Lake could accommodate an influx of evacuees, Kostyna said: “We can always make something work at Candle Lake.”

As for the community of Candle Lake, a Facebook post by the resort village said it had been in communication with the Fire Base at Lower Fishing Lake regarding two active fires burning northeast of the community. These fires are both a significant distance away and not an active threat to Candle Lake, the post said.

It added that in Candle Lake, people may observe increased smoke, helicopter activity and airplane water tankers filling in Candle Lake.

paNOW Staff