Challenging days ahead for Manitoba firefighters battling wildfires

Manitoba government officials say firefighters will have another challenging day battling wildfires throughout southeastern Manitoba that have destroyed homes and cottages and prompted evacuation orders.

“We have hot, hot weather right now; we have dry conditions, and we’ve had some very windy days,” said Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister with the Manitoba Wildfire Service. “We expect that to continue today and tomorrow.”

Hayward said that while there is precipitation in the forecast, there isn’t enough right now that would have a significant impact on the fires burning.

“We’re going to be having another challenging day in terms of being able to fight these fires that we currently have and address any new fires that may start,” she said.

Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister with the province’s Emergency Management Organization, told Manitobans that they need to stay away from the areas where fires are active.

“We are very much in a live response event type of situation, where we’re working to protect people, critical infrastructure, and property,” she said.

As of Wednesday, there are 24 active wildfires in Manitoba, with six requiring significant response.

“This is an extremely dynamic time for us,” Stevens said. “We are working closely with local authorities and everyone who is participating and is part of that response.”

The fires affecting Lac du Bonnet and Nopiming Provincial Park are both considered out of control. The Nopiming Fire measured close to 100,000 hectares in size, while the Lac du Bonnet fire is estimated at 3,000 hectares.

“Close to 1,000 property owners in the area have been evacuated to date,” said Loren Schinkel, the reeve of Lac du Bonnet.

Hayward said safety concerns have put the Lac du Bonnet fire in focus.

“What we saw with the fire near Nopiming yesterday was extremely volatile fire behaviour, and it isn’t even safe to be actioning a fire of that volatility,” she said.

Evacuations began Wednesday night for residents in the nearby townsites of Badger and Woodridge.

The province is also watching a fire in Ingolf, Ont., which has a possibility of jumping the border into Manitoba. The fire is estimated at 20,000 hectares in size.

Hayward said water bombers from Ontario have been helping crews in Manitoba battle the fires.

“We thank them for that support, because we know they are busy with their own things,” she said.

Hayward said the fire near The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation is also considered out of control, but “really good progress” is being made in gaining control.

“We have no significant concerns with the fire at this time,” she said.

Providing another update later Wednesday afternoon, Stevens said the province will be closing Whiteshell Provincial Park starting Thursday morning due to the ongoing wildfire threats.

“Our focus is on continuously assessing the situation on the ground and assessing for risk and this is in response to risk that we have identified,” she said.

The province said the closure will take effect at 9 a.m. and includes all public and private areas.

If people are in the park right now, they must leave by 1 p.m. Thursday.

“The closure of Whiteshell Provincial Park will remain in effect until conditions improve. All campgrounds in Whiteshell Provincial Park will remain closed until at least Wednesday, May 21. The Parks Reservation Service will contact all affected reservation holders,” the province said in a media bulletin.

Those who live full time in the park are asked to register with Manitoba Parks at one of three locations starting at 9 a.m. Thursday – Whiteshell Community Club, Rennie Community Club or Eastman Snopals Garage.

“Permanent residents who are unable to register in person are asked to call 204-340-6769. Only full-time residents must register. Cottagers and campers do not have to check in.”

Hydro evacuating employees from wildfire area

Manitoba Hydro employees will evacuate from generating stations due to the wildfire threat in the province.

Manitoba Hydro said in a Wednesday news release it is planning the “imminent” evacuation of the employees currently working at the Pointe du Bois and Slave Falls stations on the Winnipeg River.

The decision is being made as the wildfires could cut off road access to the facilities.

“Safety is the top priority at Manitoba Hydro, and most employees at these facilities were evacuated earlier this week as a precaution,” Hydro wrote in a news release, noting half a dozen employees were still there Wednesday to operate the facilities.

The generating units will shut down, and water will pass through the spillways. Manitoba Hydro said 70 megawatts of generating capacity will be lost, but other facilities can compensate.

Hydro will also de-energize lines in the fire area to keep firefighters safe.

As of Wednesday morning, Hydro estimated 1,500 customers in the wildfire area are without power, and it’s not yet known when it will be restored.

There were 22 wildfires burning in Manitoba as of Tuesday.

The province will give an update on the current wildfire at noon Wednesday. CTV News Winnipeg will live-stream the event.