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A number of homes and cottages north of Flin Flon are under an evacuation order because of a growing wildfire caused by drought conditions and high winds.
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In a fire bulletin released Saturday, the province said the Manitoba Wildfire Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Emergency Management Organization (EMO) and the Manitoba Fire Service are currently responding to a fire in the area which has grown significantly overnight and reached over 3,000 hectares. With strong winds in the forecast, an evacuation order has been issued, and people in the surrounding area are being asked to be prepared to leave if the situation worsens.
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Fire WE011 near Wanless, north of The Pas, is now over 100 hectares. Crews have been mobilized and heavy equipment is working to set up a fire break on the north side of Wanless. Motorists on Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 10 in the area will experience reduced visibility due to smoke.
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Fire WE010 near Flin Flon is approximately 3,000 hectares. Work is underway with support from the OFC and the Manitoba Fire Service to set up sprinklers around structures in the area. The province has also reached out for interprovincial support and appreciates the arrival of 10 crews from Ontario first thing next week. Air tankers from Saskatchewan are also assisting with suppression efforts.
There is extreme fire behaviour in the area due to drought conditions and high winds. RCMP and the Conservation Officer Service have closed Sourdough Bay Road and evacuated the area around Sourdough Bay. Provincial crews, with help from Cranberry Portage and Flin Flon fire departments, are setting up value protection for cottages in the area and will also address structures in the Whitefish Lake area.
Provincial burning permits are required for outdoor fires set within the burn permit area from April 1 to Nov. 15 annually. Permits can be acquired at provincial district offices. Provincial burn permits issued under the Wildfires Act may be cancelled or restricted at short notice if fire danger conditions require. The province will not issue burning permits for areas where municipalities have already implemented burning restrictions.
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