Clearwater cottagers able to return after evacuation

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This article was published 10/05/2025 (320 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Clearwater Lake cottagers are able to return to their residences after an out-of-control fire that swept into the area Thursday prompted evacuations.

That 40-hectare fire is now considered under control, and cottagers are being allowed to return in stages throughout the day Saturday.

However, other communities in the area remain under evacuation orders, said Lori Forbes, emergency co-ordinator for the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, as strong winds persist across the province, exacerbating the issue.

“We’ve been continually battling this beast with water tankers and helicopters and ground crews, so it’s been continually being (worked on) and on the edges … and the high winds today are still very unpredictable, where this can go,” she said Saturday.

“The winds are coming almost out of the straight south for us, which is not ideal.”

Evacuation orders in the hamlet of Wanless, the east and north shores of Rocky Lake, and parts of Carrot Valley remain. Opaskwayak Cree Nation has also begun an evacuation in Watchi Bay.

Communities still under an evacuation order are at risk due to a “monster” 21,000-hectare fire burning west and northwest of The Pas.