Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures are asking all Manitobans to take action to prevent fires in response to a high to extreme fire danger in southern and central Manitoba, and a moderate fire danger in the rest of the province. Current conditions pose a serious threat to public safety, and emergency response may be limited due to high demand on provincial and local firefighting resources.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Emergency Management Organization and the Manitoba Fire Service are currently responding to a fire in the area northwest of The Pas which has grown significantly overnight. With strong winds in the forecast, an evacuation order has been issued for several homes and cottages in the area, and people in the surrounding area are being asked to prepare to leave if the situation worsens.
Fire WE04 is approximately 21,000 hectares (ha) in size. Work is underway with support from the OFC and the Manitoba Fire Service to set up value protection (sprinklers) around structures and co-ordinate a structural firefighting response in the affected areas. There is extreme fire behaviour in the area due to high winds and fuel type.
Fire WE09 is approximately 39 ha in size in Clearwater Lake Provincial Park. Sunset Beach, Cottage Cove, Birchwood Drive and Jackfish Creek subdivisions have been closed, and evacuated. All other residents are on a two-hour evacuation alert. Provincial crews are responding to the fire.
Due to extreme wildfire risk and rapidly changing fire behavior, travel into backcountry areas is discouraged until further notice. Current conditions pose a serious threat to public safety and emergency access may be limited or unavailable.
People who are authorized to travel in the back country are reminded to check weather conditions and have adequate suppression equipment. Never leave a fire in an approved container unattended and always extinguish it before leaving, and exercise caution when in or near forested areas.
Provincial burning permits will not be issued until conditions improve. Further restrictions may be implemented if the fire danger levels increase or if conditions change significantly. Failure to comply with the listed restrictions may result in prosecution under the Manitoba Wildfires Act with fines of up to $100,000, depending on the severity of the offence.
Manitobans can play a critical role in mitigating wildfire risks around their home and properties by undertaking FireSmart activities. For more information, visit firesmartcanada.ca.
Further details, updates, restrictions and other important wildfire information is available at gov.mb.ca. To report a wildfire or any observed fires call 911 or the TIP line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076.
