The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that after a brief period of cooler temperatures and precipitation, the fire risk is increasing. Much of the province is at moderate fire danger in most areas with the continued risk of new fire starts from lightning. Progress is being made on many fires near communities. It is important to ensure good fire containment so it can be safe for evacuees to return home.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 21 active wildfires across the province, a total of 116 wildfires to date, above the average for this date of 107 total fires.
Fires of note include:
East region:
- Fire EA061 remains out of control at approximately 218,700 hectares (ha). Provincial Road (PR) 315 is closed at the Tanco Mine north of the Bird River area, with no travel beyond that point to Nopiming Provincial Park and onward up to PR 314 and Bissett. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Bissett and Nopiming Provincial Park. A two-hour evacuation notice remains in place for the Rural Municipality of Alexander from Tall Timber Road to Hill Drive.
- Fire EA063, located on the Ontario border near Ingolf, is now being held at approximately 5,400 ha on the Manitoba side of the border and approximately 36,000 ha in Ontario. This fire originated in Ontario and is numbered there as KEN#020. A closure order continues for the Mantario Wilderness Zone in Whiteshell Provincial Park, and the Caddy Lake tunnels are closed. All trails and backcountry water routes in provincial parks are also closed.
West region:
- Fire WE017, located near Sherridon and Flin Flon, is approximately 307,780 ha and is out of control. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for Snow Lake, Sherridon, Herb Lake Landing, Grass River Provincial Park and Wekusko Falls Provincial Park, Big Island, Schist Lake, Little Athapapuskow Cottage Area, Lake Athapapuskow, Payuk Lake, Twin Lake, Whitefish, White Lake (northwest region), Bakers Narrows Provincial Park and the city of Flin Flon.
- Fire WE023, located eight km from Wanless and south of Cranberry Portage, is approximately 4,920 ha and remains out of control. The mandatory evacuation order for Cranberry Portage has been lifted and the community can begin to return home as of 8 a.m. Saturday June 14.
- Fire WE025, located near Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), is approximately 55,140 ha and remains out of control. The fire around Mathias Colomb Cree Nation is contained but a mandatory evacuation order continues for Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan).
- Fire WE027, located eight km from the town of Grand Rapids and Misipawistik Cree Nation, is approximately 12,000 ha and is out of control.
- Fire WE028, located 10 km from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, is approximately 4,784 ha and is out of control.
North region:
- Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 71,067 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for the town of Lynn Lake and Marcel Colomb First Nation (Black Sturgeon).
- Fire NO005, located five km from Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake, Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 58,800 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) and the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake.
- Fire NO010, located near Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is approximately 21,560 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake).
Fire and travel restrictions
Manitoba continues under a provincewide state of emergency. Human activity continues to significantly contribute to Manitoba’s current wildfire situation. The provincial state of emergency under the Emergency Measures Act is in effect until June 26.
Manitoba continues at Level 3 for fire and travel restrictions across much of the province including all provincial parks and all burn permit areas (areas 1 to 22). A full burn ban is in place. Campfires are prohibited even in approved pits. Check www.manitoba.ca/wildfire/#travel_restrictions for details.
Backcountry travel is prohibited without a permit. For travel permit requests, email BackcountryTravel@gov.mb.ca or call (204) 345-1489.
Trails and backcountry water routes in all provincial parks are closed. Several provincial parks remain closed to all park users. Check www.manitobaparks.com for details.
Since May 1, the Manitoba Conservation Officer Service has issued 74 charges and 28 warnings related to wildfires.
