Due to extreme fire conditions in eastern Manitoba, the province has declared a state of local emergency in Whiteshell Provincial Park. The park will remain closed to the public until conditions improve.
All access to Whiteshell Provincial Park is now restricted. As of 1pm on Thursday, May 15, all park users, including full-time residents, commercial operators and cottagers, along with campers at various provincial and private campgrounds, must be out of the park. All park users are required to comply with the closure to protect themselves and the many Manitobans working to manage these extreme fire conditions.
Full-time Whiteshell Provincial Park residents who were unable to register in person at reception centres before 1 p.m. today are now asked to call 204-340-6769 to register. Only full-time residents must register. Cottagers and campers do not have to check in.
Closures remain in place for Nopiming, Pinawa Dam, Poplar Bay, Wallace Lake, Woodridge, South Atikaki and Manigotagan River provincial parks due to a state of local emergency. These parks will remain closed to the public until conditions improve.
All public and private developed areas in Manigotagan River, Nopiming, Pinawa Dam, Poplar Bay, South Atikaki, Wallace Lake, Whiteshell and Woodridge provincial parks including cottage subdivisions, commercial areas, campgrounds, group use, day use and all recreational areas including trails, beaches, backcountry canoe routes and campsites are closed to the public.
Camping reservations have been cancelled for the next week for all campgrounds in Nopiming and Whiteshell provincial parks. Further cancellations may occur should the parks remain closed longer. The Parks Reservation Service will contact all affected reservation holders.
Full campfire bans are also being implemented in all eastern and central region provincial parks. For updates on the closures and fire restrictions in provincial parks, visit manitobaparks.com.
Both inside and outside of provincial parks, a full fire ban and backcountry travel restrictions are being implemented as of 9 a.m. Friday, May 16 across southeastern Manitoba including Areas 1, 2 and 3. Motorized and non-motorized travel is prohibited without a valid travel permit. Information on travel restrictions in these areas is available at gov.mb.ca.
Over this Victoria Day long weekend throughout the province, Manitobans are discouraged from having campfires, even if a local fire ban is not in place in their community. Manitobans are urged to carefully consider their plans for outdoor activities, avoid closed areas and follow all evacuation orders from local authorities. Check www.manitoba511.ca for any highway closures before leaving home.
The public is reminded the use of drones near forest fires is prohibited by Transport Canada. Drones interfere with fire-fighting responses and put all water bomber, helicopter and ground crews at risk. Learn more at gov.mb.ca.
For further information on the Manitoba Wildfire Service, situation updates, restrictions and other important wildfire links, visit gov.mb.ca. To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line toll-free at 1-800-782-0076.
