Recent precipitation has lowered the fire danger across most of the province. Pockets of high fire danger continue in the northwest and southern parts of the province.
Approximately 4,800 evacuees from the city of Flin Flon will start returning home on Wednesday, June 25 when the mandatory evacuation notice is lifted at 9 a.m.
As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, the Schist Lake, Big Island Lake and Little Athapapuskow cottage areas, which are within the jurisdiction of the province’s Northern Affairs Cottage Program, will reopen for all residents and cottage owners.
Additionally, Manitoba Parks advises at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, Bakers Narrows Provincial Park will reopen for permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators.
The Bakers Narrows campground will remain closed for nightly and seasonal campers until at least Thursday, July 17. This closure may be extended, depending on how the situation evolves.
The Flin Flon airport at Bakers Narrows remains closed with aircraft restrictions in place to support ongoing wildfire suppression efforts. For the safety of personnel, boaters are asked to avoid waterways being utilized by Manitoba Wildfire Service tankers and aircraft.
In Nopiming Provincial Park, the Bird Lake campground will remain closed until at least Thursday, July 10. The campground at Tulabi Falls requires extensive cleanup so this campground will remain closed until at least Thursday, Aug. 4. Campgrounds at Black Lake and Beresford Lake will remain closed for the remainder of the season, along with Shoe Lake and all water routes in the park. Anyone who was planning backcountry trips in Nopiming this summer should make alternate plans.
Services may remain limited at some campgrounds as park staff continues to support fire response efforts.
All Manitobans returning to reopened areas are advised to be prepared to evacuate again with little notice and should prepare an emergency go kit. More information on emergency preparedness, including what to include in an emergency go kit, is available here: www.gov.mb.ca/emo/guide/individuals.
Visit www.manitobaparks.com for details and updates.
Since May 1, the Manitoba Conservation Officer Service has issued 96 charges and 32 warnings related to wildfires.
Fire and travel restrictions
Areas 1 to 5 and areas 8 to 22 are at Level 2. This means:
- Provincial burning permits are cancelled. Burn permits may be issued for agriculture and industry under the discretion of a conservation officer and the Manitoba Wildfire Service.
- Motorized backcountry travel, including ATVs and other off-road vehicles, is prohibited unless under the authority of a travel permit. For travel permit requests, email BackcountryTravel@gov.mb.ca or call 204-345-1489.
- A travel permit is required for remote travel within the boundaries of a fire.
- Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds.
- Campfires are only permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Wayside parks remain open.
- Landing and launching are restricted to developed shorelines only.
- Industry and outfitters may be restricted in their operations and should contact their local National Resources and Indigenous Futures office for more information.
Fires of note
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 18 active wildfires across the province, a total of 131 wildfires to date. The average for this date is 135 total fires. The total area burned in the province is more than 909,000 hectares (ha).
Fires of note include:
East region:
- Fire EA061 remains out of control at approximately 226,160 ha. Provincial Road (PR) 315 is open with access to Bird Lake, Booster Lake, Flanders Lake and Davidson Lake. 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. PR 314 remains closed through Nopiming Provincial Park.
West region:
- Fire WE017, located near Sherridon and the city of Flin Flon, is approximately 370,780 ha and is out of control. Evacuees from the city of Flin Flon will be able to return home as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 25.
- 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 WE028, located 10 km from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, is approximately 7,200 ha and is out of control.
North region:
- Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 71,860 ha and is out of control.
- 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.
- Fire NO010, located near Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is approximately 21,560 ha and is out of control.
Information and resources for evacuees
The Leila Soccer Complex at 770 Leila Ave. is Winnipeg’s primary reception centre for wildfire evacuees with reception centre services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visit MBReady at https://mbready.manitoba.ca for more information about emergency alerts and safety, as well as resources for evacuees such as:
- registering with the Canadian Red Cross: https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/evacuees.html#wildfire-2025
- financial support: https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/evacuees.html#financial-support
- emergency shelters: https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/evacuees.html#shelter
- health resources: https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/evacuees.html#health-resources
- insurance: https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/evacuees.html#insurance
- returning home: https://manitoba.ca/wildfire/evacuees.html#community-re-entry
For assistance, evacuees can contact Manitoba 211 from anywhere in Manitoba or by emailing 211mb@findhelp.ca. For more information, visit https://mb.211.ca/get-help-now/.
