In spite of rain and cooler temperatures over the Victoria Day long weekend, the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) advises that risks remain high on a number of existing fires as forests remain dry, and fires in Nopiming and Whiteshell provincial parks remain out of control.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 13 active wildfires across the province, a total of 81 wildfires to date and continues to respond to the following fires of note:
West Region:
- Fire WE004, located near Big Eddy west of The Pas, is 42,650 hectares (ha) and is being held. MWS is working with local fire departments and using thermal scanning to target hotspots, and continues making good progress.
East Region:
- Fire EA057, located near Carrick, is approximately 8,904 ha and is out of control. Crews, heavy equipment and helicopters are assigned and targeting key areas. Value protection is set up for at-risk properties. Local fire departments are assisting.
- Fire EA061, located one kilometre (km) from Bird River, is approximately 101,689 ha and remains out of control. Highway 315 is closed and blocked at Bird River. Highway 314 is closed and blocked at Bissett. Bernic Lake Mine has been evacuated. All residents in the impacted areas have been evacuated. Value protection is being established in areas where it is safe for crews to work.
- Fire EA062, located six km from Lac du Bonnet, is approximately 4,008 ha and is being held. While some residents were permitted to return to their homes, other residential evacuations remain in place. Local fire departments, OFC and MWS are co-ordinating their efforts. Manitoba Hydro is re-establishing power where crews can safely work.
- Fire EA063, located on the Ontario border near Ingolf, is approximately 32, 650 ha and remains out of control. This fire originated in Ontario and it is also numbered as KEN#020. An evacuation order is in place. Municipal fire departments, OFC and MWS are co-ordinating their efforts. Additional resources are being moved to this fire.
Evacuees who need help connecting with their local authorities can contact Manitoba 211 for assistance by calling 2-1-1 from anywhere in Manitoba or emailing 211mb@findhelp.ca. For more information, visit Get Help Now | Manitoba.
Manitoba Parks advises the State of Local Emergency at Whiteshell and Nopiming provincial parks along with the associated park closures will remain in place today and into this week. Manitoba Parks will continue to work closely with the Manitoba Wildfire Service to assess current and future risk. Updates on timelines will be shared as soon as they are available.
Manitoba Parks recognizes full-time park residents would like to return to their homes and cottagers, campers and commercial operators are keen to return to their normal activities. The restrictions and closures remain in place for everyone’s safety and allows fire crews and emergency responders space to do their work.
Fire and travel restrictions remain in place in areas of central and southeastern Manitoba. Southeastern regions include areas 1, 2 and 3, which remain at Level 3, meaning a full fire ban is in effect and all backcountry travel is prohibited. Area 5 remains at Level 2, which allows non-motorized travel. Area 8 remains at Level 1, which prohibits all motorized backcountry travel, including ATVs and other off-road vehicles. All fires are prohibited between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Any fires outside these hours must be in an approved campfire pit. Refer to the areas and further details of the fire and travel restriction map found at Province of Manitoba | Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures.
Many municipalities have proactively implemented burning restrictions this spring so check with the local municipal office or view the interactive burning restrictions map at www.manitoba.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.htmProvince of Manitoba | Wildfire for more information. No burning permits will be issued for areas within or bordering any municipality where burning restrictions are already in place.
For further information on the Manitoba Wildfire Service, situation updates, restrictions and other important wildfire links, go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/Province of Manitoba | Wildfire Information or follow the Manitoba government on X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/mbgov.
To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line toll-free at 1-800-782-0076.
