The Manitoba Wildfire Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) and the Manitoba Fire Service are currently responding to a significant number of active fires in the area around Flin Flon and The Pas. There is extreme fire behaviour in the area caused by drought conditions and high winds.
As of this afternoon, fire WE010 near Flin Flon is approximately 31,600 hectares based on updated mapping and continues to impact the cottage subdivisions of Sourdough Bay, Whitefish Lake, Twin Lakes, Schist Lake North and Cranberry Portage.
The fire is approximately 1.5 kilometres away from Cranberry Portage and the community has now been evacuated to The Pas. Provincial Emergency Social Services is available to residents. The Rural Municipality of Kelsey has established a reception centre at the Wescana Inn in The Pas to register evacuees and to arrange for accommodations.
A reception centre has been established at the Victoria Inn in Flin Flon to support evacuees and assist with accommodations for residents affected by evacuation orders from the following areas:
- Sourdough Bay Subdivision
- Twin Lakes Cottage Subdivision
- Whitefish Lake Cottage Subdivision
- Schist Lake North Cottage Subdivision
- Bakers Cottage Subdivision
- Bakers Narrows Provincial Park
Approximately 550 residents are affected at this time but that number may increase as conditions change.
If you are a resident or evacuee currently impacted by the wildfire situation in Manitoba and require further assistance, dial 211 or toll-free 1-855-275-1197, or for text-based help, use the chat at mb.211.ca.
The fire crossed a section of railway in the area and is impacting rail travel between Cranberry Portage and Pukatawagan.
Power outages have been reported in the impacted area surrounding the fire. Power has been restored to Bakers Narrow and power outages continue to affect Cranberry Portage and Sourdough Bay.
Campgrounds in Bakers Narrows and Grass River provincial parks are closed until at least May 27 including Bakers Narrows, Gyles, Iskwasum Landing and Reed Lake. Manitoba Parks is contacting all affected reservation holders and seasonal campers. Backcountry travel along the Grass River from Cranberry Portage to Reed Lake is prohibited. Further park closures may be enacted. For updates visit manitobaparks.com.
Air tankers from Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been working on the fire. Five additional crews from Ontario are expected to arrive today and another five tomorrow.
Fire WE011 near Wanless north of The Pas is approximately 1,550 hectares and crews are working to protect the hydro line between The Pas and Cranberry Portage. There has been no damage at this time. The fire is approximately five kilometres away from Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 10. Those travelling on PTH 10 may be impacted by poor visibility due to smoke.
There is a communication outage impacting Flin Flon, Sherridon, Paradise Lodge and Sourdough Bay between Flin Flon and Cranberry Portage. This includes P25, wireless, wireline, data, internet, and internet protocol television (IPTV). Communications remain available in Creighton, SK west of Flin Flon. Technicians are in the area and are working to implement a temporary solution to restore communications.
Interac and credit card services are not in operation in the affected areas due to the communication outage. Though travel in the area is not advised, those travelling should plan accordingly.
Provincial burning permits are required for outdoor fires set within the burn permit area from April 1 to Nov. 15 annually. To check for municipal burning restrictions, visit gov.mb.ca. Burn permit holders are reminded to check weather conditions, have adequate suppression equipment and ensure proper fuel breaks are in place before burning. Never leave an outdoor fire unattended and always extinguish it before leaving, and exercise caution when in or near forested areas.
Further details, updates, restrictions and other important wildfire information is available at gov.mb.ca. To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076.
