Brandon is sending 5 firefighters and two fire department officers to Lynn Lake which is being threatened by a nearby wildfire. The crew will work to ensure properties in the town are protected. Lynn Lake’s 600 residents were evacuated on Monday. The fire, north of the community, is out-of-control, and is estimated at 7,000 hectares in size.
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The forest fires in the province’s northwest have forced roughly 17,000 people to flee. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and Mathias Colomb First Nation. The majority of evacuees have headed to Winnipeg. About 300 are being housed in Brandon hotels.
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The Manitoba Wildfire Service has increased fire and travel restrictions throughout the province saying human activity continues to contribute to Manitoba’s current fire situation. All hiking trails and water routes are closed – all burn permits are cancelled, and no other permits will be issued – camping is restricted to developed campgrounds – boats are only allowed at developed shorelines – and lodge access is only allowed at main lodges.
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Here in Westman a couple of municipalities have enacted burn bans. The RM of Minto-Odanah, which includes the town of Minnedosa – and the RM of Wallace-Woodworth, just northwest of Brandon.
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A Brandon plumbing company was sentenced to pay $7,500 after one of its workers died on the job three years ago. Lockhart Plumbing and Heating reportedly pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday for failing to provide proper workplace safety training after the death of 29-year-old Jordan Old, a red-seal plumber.
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Manitoba is reporting a dozen more cases of measles in the province. As of May 24th – there have been 72 confirmed cases. Meanwhile, a new survey found nearly 70% of Canadians think vaccinations should be mandatory for a child to attend daycare or school.
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Manitoba Public Insurance is cracking down ‘curbers’ – those involved in the illegal vehicle trade. ‘Curbers’ sell more than four vehicles in a single year without a dealer permit – and MPI says they’re often linked to wider fraud networks.
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About 870 Manitoba Hydro workers are set to hold a strike vote today. The employees work in IT, customer engagement and administrative support. The union says the vote follows months of bargaining which failed to present an offer consistent with what’s been reached with other bargaining units at Hydro.
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A Manitoba judge has barred offshore gambling sites, bodog.eu and bodog.net, from operating and advertising in the province. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries says $37 million dollars is leaving the province annually as a result of unsafe, unregulated online gambling sites.
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It’ll be a packed night on June 11th for this year’s Tribute to Tourism Awards Gala at the Backyard on Aberdeen in Brandon. There are 29 nominations in nine categories. For ‘Event of the Year’ in Brandon – the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is up against the U Sports Men’s Volleyball National Championship.
