People living near North Wabasca Lake are being evacuated from their homes for a second time due to a nearby wildfire.

Officials said the fire, about 20 kilometres south-east of Slave lake,"challenged" the fire guard set up to contain it at around 2 p.m. Sunday and is currently spreading to the south.

Around 60 people were removed from their homes near the lake Saturday evening as a precaution, but were allowed to return hours later.

Fire crews are using aircraft and heavy equipment in an attempt to slow the fire's spread, but officials say the hot, dry weather is making the task more difficult. The wildfire is estimated to be about 4 hectares in size.