The Manitoba Wildfire Service advises the province remains at a moderate to high fire danger level. Human activity, including arson, is contributing significantly to current wildfire conditions. As a result, critical firefighting resources are being diverted to respond to deliberately set fires, often in or near communities.
The Manitoba government continues to prepare congregate shelters in Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie in preparation for communities being evacuated.
Evacuees requiring assistance are reminded to attend the primary evacuation reception centre in Winnipeg at the Leila Soccer Complex at 770 Leila Ave.
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.
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.
Manitoba Parks advises Bakers Narrows campground will remain closed until July 31. Tulabi Falls Campground will remain closed for the rest of the year to address necessary cleanup related to the wildfire. Provincial Road (PR) 314 remains closed and all water routes and hiking trails are closed in Nopiming Provincial Park. For updates visit www.manitobaparks.com.
Manitoba Wildfire Service has cancelled all burn permits for the Burn Permit Area, with no new burn permits issued at this time. Additionally, travel permits are required within active fire boundaries. 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 continues 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.
Fires of note
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 122 active wildfires across the province, a total of 297 wildfires to date, well above the average for this date of 217 total fires.
Fires of note include:
East region:
- Fire EA061 remains out of control at approximately 277,860 ha. A closure and mandatory evacuation order continues for parts of Nopiming Provincial Park and the entire areas of Wallace Lake and South Atitaki provincial parks. PR 314 remains closed through Nopiming Provincial Park, as well as PR 304 east of Bissett. The southern portion of Atikaki Provincial Park is also closed, including the Bloodvein and Gammon river corridors and Aikens Lake.
West region:
- Fire WE017, located near Sherridon and the city of Flin Flon, is approximately 370,780 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 88,080 ha and is being monitored. The fire is contained around the community 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 20 km from Snow Lake, is approximately 17,355 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the town of Snow Lake. Wekusko Falls Provincial Park is closed due to wildfires and a mandatory evacuation order is in effect for park users.
- Fire WE053, located 16 km from Snow Lake, is approximately 7,445 ha and is out of control.
North region:
- Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 80,120 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO042, located 14 km southwest from the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 12,525 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 133,975 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO010, located near Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is approximately 22,275 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake).
- Fire NO026, located 11 km from the town of Leaf Rapids, is approximately 9,155 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 16,370 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO076, located seven km from Wabowden, is approximately 44 ha and is under control.
- Fire NO079 located near Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill First Nation), is approximately 2,865 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill First Nation). Evacuations are ongoing.
- Fire NO129, located four km from York Landing, is approximately 45 ha and is out of control.
