Premier Wab Kinew is touring parts of northwestern Manitoba as a wildfire ravages the region.
The premier landed Tuesday morning at the Flin Flon airport, located within 10 kilometres of the fire line.
He was to be escorted first by RCMP to Bakers Narrows, where the Manitoba Wildfire Service has established an incident command centre to monitor the blaze — currently burning north of Flin Flon and east of Cranberry Portage.
NEENA LUNDIE PHOTO
According to the latest provincial fire report, updated Monday afternoon, the wildfire is covering around 31,600 hectares (86,486 acres) and remains around 1.5 kilometers outside of Cranberry Portage.
Earl Simmons, director of Manitoba Wildfire Service, told reporters the fire was sparked by lightning.
It grew rapidly over the weekend, fueled by high winds and drought conditions, he said.
According to the latest provincial fire report, updated Monday afternoon, the flames are covering around 31,600 hectares (86,486 acres) and remain around 1.5 kilometres outside of Cranberry Portage.
The entire community, along with some nearby cottage subdivisions, was subject to a provincial evacuation order Saturday night that sent hundreds of people fleeing from their homes.
Kinew planned to meet with evacuees in Flin Flon and The Pas, where reception centres have been established to coordinate emergency supports.
The province estimates the evacuation orders have impacted at least 550 people.
The recently tabled provincial budget includes $50 million in emergency expenditures, down from $100 million the previous year.
Kinew said Monday his government would spare no expense to support those who are displaced.
Lori Forbes, the municipal emergency co-ordinator for the region, said news that the premier would visit was well received by evacuees.
“I think it is really important that the province of Manitoba show up and lend its support,” she said. “It’s good to give the residents of Manitoba an opportunity to talk to (Kinew), and to see him and to see that he knows (what is going on)… We really appreciate that he is going to come and be available to answer some questions.”
Forbes noted the province has established emergency social services on site.
“They have taken over accommodation and financial supports for the evacuees,” she said.
Residents in The Pas are also pitching in with supports, donating food, clothing, children’s toys and other assorted goods, Forbes said.
The donations have been an essential resource for evacuees, some of whom fled with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, Forbes said.
“Its out of this world amazing … People are calling us (asking ) ‘What can I do, what can I bring?’” she said.
“Obviously, nobody is happy, but we are doing the best we can.”
Highway 10, which links Cranberry Portage to Flin Flon, is closed due to heavy smoke conditions, according to reports from Manitoba 511.
RCMP are monitoring traffic in the area to prevent residents from returning to Cranberry Portage until the evacuation order is lifted, RCMP spokesperson Tara Seel said.
In the interim, an escort service has been established to guide evacuees through the closed highway back to Flin Flon in their vehicles.
The RM of Kelsey is posting updates on its website to keep residents informed.
Tyler Searle
Reporter
Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press’ city desk. Since joining the paper in 2022, he has found himself driving through blizzards, documenting protests and scouring the undersides of bridges for potential stories.