The Manitoba Wildfire Service reports the majority of the province continues under extreme fire danger and in a provincewide state of emergency due to spreading wildfires. Human activity continues to significantly contribute to Manitoba’s current wildfire situation.

Government of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces continue evacuation efforts for Pimicikamak First Nation and Cross Lake, with multiple agencies participating in the response along with community members and the local fire department.

Manitobans are urged to carefully follow all fire and travel restrictions. Level 3 fire and travel restrictions are in place across much of the province including all provincial parks and all burn permit areas (areas 1 to 22). Backcountry travel is prohibited without a permit. To request a travel permit, call 204-345-1489.

A full burn ban is in place. Campfires are prohibited even in approved pits. Full details on fire and travel restrictions for provincial parks and burn permit areas, along with municipal burn bans can be found at manitoba.ca.

Manitoba Parks advises all subdivisions at Caddy Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park will reopen tomorrow at 8 a.m. The Caddy Lake tunnels remain closed. The areas of Big Whiteshell, Crowduck, Nora and Florence lakes remain closed.

Additionally, Nopiming Provincial Park remains closed. Manitoba Parks advises the campgrounds at Black and Beresford lakes in Nopiming Provincial Park will remain closed for the rest of the season, along with all water routes in the park. Manitobans who were planning backcountry trips in Nopiming this summer should make alternate plans.

Trails and water routes in all provincial parks are closed. Several provincial parks in the eastern and northern regions are closed to all park users. Check manitobaparks.com for details.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 27 active wildfires across the province, a total of 111 wildfires to date, well above the average for this date of 91 total fires. Fires of note include:

East region:

  • Fire EA061, stretching from Bird River to Bissett is 197,955 hectares (ha) and remains out of control. Provincial Road (PR) 315 is closed at the Tanco Mine north of Bird River area, with no travel beyond that point to Nopiming Provincial Park and onward up to PR 314 and Bissett. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Bissett and Nopiming Park.
  • Fire EA063, located on the Ontario border near Ingolf, is out of control at approximately 5,060 ha on the Manitoba side of the border and approximately 31,300 ha in Ontario. This fire originated in Ontario and is numbered there as KEN#020. An evacuation order continues for parts of Whiteshell Provincial Park.

West region:

  • Fire WE017, located near Sherridon, is 112,185 ha and out of control. Mandatory evacuation order is place for Sherridon and Snow Lake is on a 48-hour evacuation alert.
  • Fire WE021/26, located near Easterville, is approximately 35 ha and is under control.
  • Fire WE023, located eight km from Wanless and south of Cranberry Portage, is approximately 3,800 ha and out of control. A voluntary evacuation order is in place for Wanless. A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for Cranberry Portage.
  • Fire WE024, located near Flin Flon, is 37,959 ha and out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for the Big Island, Schist Lake, Little Athapapaskow cottage area, Bakers Narrows, and the City of Flin Flon.
  • Fire WE025, located near Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), is 9,785 ha and out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan).
  • Fire WE027, located eight km from Grand Rapids, is 2496 ha and is out of control.
  • Fire WE028, located 10 km from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, is approximately 3,000 ha and out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Bakers Narrows Provincial Park.

North region:

  • Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is out of control and 71,067 ha. A mandatory evacuation order continues for the Town of Lynn Lake and Marcel Colomb First Nation (Black Sturgeon).
  • Fire NO005, located near Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 3,300 ha and out of control.
  • Fire NO006, located five km from Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) and the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake, is 2,287 ha and out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) and the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake.
  • Fire NO007, located two km from Wabowden, is 88 ha and is under control.
  • Fire NO010, located near Tataskwayak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is 20,947 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Tataskwayak Cree Nation (Split Lake).

In eastern Manitoba, some residents are allowed to return home but a significant wildfire threat remains. The province advises all returning residents must be prepared to evacuate with little notice and should prepare an emergency go kit. More information on emergency preparedness, including what to include in an emergency go kit, is available at gov.mb.ca.

Smoke and fires are impacting road conditions as well, check MB511 at manitoba511.ca for the latest road conditions and closures.

The Manitoba government’s provincial state of emergency, under the Emergency Measures Act, is in effect until June 26.

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.