The Wildfire Program of Manitoba Sustainable Development advises that although very little precipitation was received in eastern Manitoba, the wet, cool conditions are helping fires crews make good progress on wildfires near Beresford Lake and Caddy Lake.
Eastern Region
The wildfire northeast of Caddy Lake on the Manitoba/Ontario border remains approximately 5,800 hectares (ha) today. Hydro lines were not damaged, but an unoccupied trapper’s cabin on North Cross Lake was lost. Ontario continues to lead operations to control this fire.
An information meeting for those affected by the Caddy Lake fire will be held tonight at the Whiteshell Community Hall in Falcon Lake at 7 p.m. with Manitoba and Ontario fire officials. People can also call 204-345-1444 to get up-to-date information if they are unable to make the meeting.
The east shore of Caddy Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park is closed until further notice and evacuation orders remain in effect.
PR 312 from one kilometre east of PTH 44 (Big Island turn off) to the Ontario border remains closed.
The Beresford Lake fire remains approximately 73,000 ha. Sprinkler protection continues on cabins in the area and crews are making good progress with suppression efforts.
Thirty-five firefighters from northern Manitoba are being deployed to fight this fire today. Twenty firefighters from Nova Scotia are expected to arrive in Manitoba on Friday to provide assistance and will be deployed Saturday.
An evacuation order remains in effect for Wallace Lake, which affects 61 cottages and one lodge. Officials are monitoring conditions at Long Lake closely.
The mandatory evacuation of the Beresford cottage subdivision in the Nopiming Provincial Park continues. The Beresford and Wallace lake campgrounds are closed until wildfire conditions improve.
Local authorities are leading the response to support Manitoba evacuees in the region.
Manitoba Sustainable Development, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Southeast Whiteshell Fire Department and the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner continue co-operative suppression efforts on these border area wildfires.
Travel restrictions remain in place in eastern Manitoba including the Mars Hill Wildlife Management area. Motorized back country travel is prohibited between the hours of noon to 7 p.m. in these areas. Any travel outside of these set times must be under the authority of a travel permit issued by a conservation officer.
In the Whiteshell Provincial Park, the Hunt Lake, Mantario and McGillivray Falls hiking trails are closed until wildfire conditions improve.
All burning permits are cancelled and no new permits will be issued for eastern Manitoba. Weather conditions have now permitted the lifting of burning permit and travel restrictions for central and western Manitoba. The 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. restriction on campfires in Birds Hill Provincial Park has also been lifted.
Air Quality and Health Effects of Smoke
Smoke levels from forest fires may vary considerably due to fire conditions and wind directions.
Check local weather forecast for smoke conditions including any public alerts about smoke or poor air quality in local areas. Those in the Brandon or Winnipeg areas can check the local Air Quality Health Index at www.ec.gc.ca/cas-aqhi/ for updates on air quality conditions.
For information about the health effects of smoke, talk to health-care providers or call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) 1-888-315-9257 or visit: www.gov.mb.ca.
Additional Information
In Manitoba, a total of 58 wildfires have been recorded to date. The average for this date is 85. Open fires (fires outside of an approved firepit) are prohibited. In most provincial parks, fires are permitted in approved firepits.
For further general information on the fire status, maps, travel restrictions, burning permit cancellations or other restrictions go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire. For additional information on the fires or restrictions in eastern Manitoba, contact the eastern region office at 204-345-1444. For information on restrictions in Ontario, call 1-807-548-1919. To report a wildfire, call 911 or the T.I.P. line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076. The T.I.P. line is dedicated for reporting fires only. All other inquiries should be directed to the other phone lines noted above.
