A large wildfire burning between Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and Duck Lake remained out of control on Friday afternoon, leading officials to issue an evacuation alert for nearby communities. The fire, known as the Lobstick wildfire, was first reported on Tuesday afternoon shortly after 3 p.m., and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said crews arrived at the scene soon after. Investigators initially believed an ATV may have sparked the blaze, but the agency later said lightning was the likely cause.
By Friday evening, officials said the fire was still not contained and had grown rapidly to about 13,000 hectares, a major increase from 1,300 hectares earlier in the day. The sudden expansion underscored how quickly conditions have allowed the wildfire to spread across dry forested land north of Saskatoon. Firefighters and emergency officials have been monitoring the perimeter closely as the flames continue to move through the region.
The small community of Lily Plain, southwest of Prince Albert, was placed under a mandatory evacuation order Thursday evening, but that order was reduced to an alert around 9 p.m. The Rural Municipality of Duck Lake was also given a mandatory evacuation order before it too was downgraded to an alert, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. Officials have warned residents in the area to remain prepared in case conditions worsen again.
Residents living near the fire said the smoke has been deeply unsettling. Cory Wasyliw, who lives in Macdowall about 10 kilometres east of the flames, said the smell of smoke brought back memories of earlier wildfire experiences. He said it is upsetting to see the forest he often visits being destroyed, especially after having battled similar fires in the past.
Questions have also been raised by some local residents about why the fire was not extinguished more quickly after it started. Wasyliw said he heard reports that equipment was pulled from the fire early on, allowing it to spread. Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Michael Weger addressed those concerns at a briefing Friday, saying some equipment had been temporarily withdrawn for safety reasons because of the intense heat and difficult conditions. He said the weather, including temperatures in the mid-30s C, made it impossible for some dozers to operate in certain areas.
Volunteer firefighter Jordyne Seminoff of Macdowall said crews have been working continuously since receiving the call Tuesday afternoon. She said the combination of high heat and very low humidity has created ideal conditions for the fire to move quickly. Across southern and central Saskatchewan, an Environment Canada heat warning remains in effect, adding to the challenge for firefighters and residents.
To fight the blaze, helicopters, air tankers, and heavy equipment have been deployed, and several dozer guards have been built to slow its advance. The province said Type 1 and Type 2 fire crews are on the scene, supported by local fire departments. Residents in nearby areas are watching carefully as officials continue efforts to stop the wildfire from spreading farther east, where more homes are located.
