The Manitoba Wildfire Service is reminding residents returning home after a mandatory evacuation that while the immediate risk to communities may have decreased, wildfires are still active in the region. Smoke and visible flames may still be present. Manitobans are reminded to stay informed by regularly monitoring wildfire updates.
The community of Bissett lifted its mandatory evacuation as of 8 a.m. June 17. An estimated 80 evacuees have started returning home.
While conditions continue to improve, the province is at a high fire danger level today and the potential for new fires due to lightning and human causes continues. Evacuees are thanked for their patience as re-entry plans continue over the coming weeks to return evacuees to their homes safely and as soon as possible.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 20 active wildfires across the province, a total of 122 wildfires to date, above the average for this date of 116 total fires.
Fires of note include:
East region:
- Fire EA061 remains out of control at approximately 218,700 hectares (ha). As of 8 a.m. Wednesday June 18, Provincial Road (PR) 315 will open with access to Bird Lake, Booster Lake, Flanders Lake and Davidson Lake. PR 314 remains closed through Nopiming Provincial Park. A two-hour evacuation notice remains in place for the Rural Municipality of Alexander from Tall Timber Road to Hill Drive. The community of Bissett lifted its mandatory evacuation order as of 8 a.m. June 17.
- Fire EA063, located on the Ontario border near Ingolf, is 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 remain closed.
West region:
- Fire WE017, located near Sherridon and the city of Flin Flon, is approximately 370,780 ha and is out of control. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for Big Island, Schist Lake, Little Athapapuskow Cottage Area, Lake Athapapuskow, 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 is under control.
- Fire WE025, located near Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), is approximately 55,140 ha and is being monitored. 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 being held.
- Fire WE028, located 10 km from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, is approximately 7,190 ha and is out of control.
North region:
- Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 70,820 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 near Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake, Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 64,860 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order has been lifted and Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) and the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake are now returning home as of June 16.
- Fire NO010, located near Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is approximately 21,560 ha and is out of control.
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.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, the south part of Nopiming Provincial Park will reopen for permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators. This includes PR 315, Bird Lake, Booster Lake, Flanders Lake and Davidson Lake.
Manitoba Parks advises the Tulabi Falls and Bird Lake campgrounds will remain closed until at least Thursday, June 26. For further updates check www.manitobaparks.com.
Anyone returning to the reopened areas is advised to be prepared to evacuate again with little notice and people should prepare an emergency go kit and remain alert for evacuation notices.
A closure and mandatory evacuation order continues for the rest of Nopiming Provincial Park and the entire areas of Wallace Lake, South Atikaki and Manigotagan River provincial parks.
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 93 charges and 31 warnings related to wildfires.
