The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that high winds and dry conditions throughout the province are creating a very high fire danger across much of the province today. A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for the community of Cormorant effective at 1 p.m., today. This evacuation will affect approximately 300 residents.
Manitoba Wildfire Service has cancelled all burn permits for the Burn Permit Area, with no new burn permits issued at this time. Land based travel is permitted, unless closed by Parks or other closure orders. Those entering a fire boundary by aircraft will require a travel permit. To view active fire boundary maps, visit www.gov.mb.ca/conservation_fire/Fire-Maps/fireview/fireview_map.html. To apply for a travel permit, contact a Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures district office and visit www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/co/index.html to find a location.
Manitoba remains under a provincial state of emergency, under the Emergency Measures Act due to a wildfire season that is now the worst on record in the last 30 years, with more than one million hectares (ha) of area burned in the province. The state of emergency is in effect until Aug. 8 and if necessary, may be extended.
For updates on park closures, visit www.manitobaparks.com.
Fires of note
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 127 active wildfires across the province, a total of 351 wildfires to date, well above the average for this date of 276 total fires.
Fires of note include:
East region:
- Fire EA061 remains out of control at approximately 329,855 ha. A closure and mandatory evacuation order is in place for most of Atikaki Provincial Park, and the entire areas of Wallace Lake and South Atikaki provincial parks. While access to Nopiming Provincial Park has reopened, the fire continues to smoulder throughout the park.
West region:
- Fire WE017, located near Sherridon and the city of Flin Flon, is approximately 347,100 ha and is out of control. For the safety of personnel, boaters are asked to avoid waterways being utilized by Manitoba Wildfire Service tankers and aircraft.
- Fire WE025, located near Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), is approximately 62,075 ha and is being monitored. The fire is contained around Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) but a mandatory evacuation order continues.
- Fire WE028, located 10 kilometres (km) from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, is approximately 7,190 ha and is out of control.
- Fire WE052, located at Snow Lake, is approximately 28,115 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the town of Snow Lake. Wekusko Falls Provincial Park closure will remain in place until August and a mandatory evacuation order continues for park users. Chisel Lake mine and Lalor mine remain evacuated.
- Fire WE053, located 13 km from Snow Lake, is approximately 7,990 ha and is out of control.
- Fire WE085, located about 12 km from Cormorant, is approximately 800 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place.
North region:
- Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 84,270 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO042, located 12 km southwest from the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 15,090 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the town of Lynn Lake and Marcel Columb First Nation.
- Fire NO005, located near Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake, Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 149,560 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO010, located near Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is approximately 25,225 ha and is out of control. Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), under a mandatory evacuation order, is planning a phased return of evacuees to the Nation starting July 30.
- Fire NO026, located four km from the town of Leaf Rapids, is approximately 73,535 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the town of Leaf Rapids.
- Fire NO047, located 25 km from the town of Leaf Rapids, is approximately 15,525 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation remains in place for the town of Leaf Rapids.
- Fire NO061, located 14 km from the city of Thompson, is approximately 18,365 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO079 located near Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill Anisininew Nation), is approximately 37,855 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation remains in place for Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill Anisininew Nation) and Island Lake (Stevenson Island).
Information and resources for evacuees
The primary evacuation reception centre in Winnipeg is located on the second level of the RBC Convention Centre at 375 York Ave. Evacuees can attend this location to register with the Canadian Red Cross, and to access supports and services. Evacuees can also call 1 (800) 863-6582.
In response to the need for shelter for wildfire evacuees, Emergency Social Services continues to work with the Canadian Red Cross to operate congregate shelters in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre at 375 York Ave and the Leila Soccer Complex at 770 Leila Ave.
For the safety of both evacuees and frontline and firefighting personnel, the province is reminding Manitobans not to enter areas under a mandatory evacuation until local authorities identify the situation is safe and evacuees are able to return.
The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization recommends evacuees leaving their communities due to wildfire bring their medications, identification, phone chargers, important documents, any needed baby supplies and a change of clothing.
