More cottagers in the Whiteshell have been told to be ready for an evacuation order, as the result of an active wildfire burning near Ingolf, Ontario.
According to our province, an evacuation preparedness advisory has been issued for cottagers on the north side of West Hawk Lake, as well as Caddy Lake, Florence Lake, and Nora Lake. Residents in these areas are strongly encouraged to be ready for an evacuation, should conditions get worse.
Several trails, water routes, portages, and backcountry campsites in Whiteshell Provincial Park are now closed until further notice.
Meanwhile, a state of local emergency remains in effect for Nopiming, Wallace Lake, South Atikaki, and Manigotagan River parks, with mandatory evacuations now in effect for several lakes and camp areas.
An evacuation order has been issued for Nopiming Provincial Park as wildfire conditions continue to escalate. Our province has also declared a state of local emergency for Nopiming, Wallace Lake, South Atikaki, and Manigotagan River provincial parks. These parks will remain closed to the public until conditions improve.
The following areas are affected by the evacuation order:
- Bird, Booster, Davidson, and Flanders lakes in south Nopiming - cottagers, commercial resort and lodge operators, backcountry users, and campers are asked to evacuate by 11 am today;
- Long and Beresford lakes in north Nopiming - cottagers, commercial resort and lodge operators, backcountry users, and campers are asked to evacuate by noon today; and
- Wallace Lake, South Atikaki and Manigotagan River - cottagers, residents, commercial resort and lodge operators, backcountry users, and campers are asked to evacuate by noon today.
All public and private developed areas in Nopiming, Wallace Lake, South Atikaki, and Manigotagan River 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 now closed to the public.
Closures are also being enacted in Whiteshell Provincial Park due to an out-of-control wildfire along the Ontario boundary. The Mantario Trail, Whiteshell River Self-Guiding Trail, and the water routes, portages, and backcountry campsites along the Whiteshell River and Mantario area from Caddy Lake to Lone Island Lake are closed.
To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line toll-free at 1-800-782-0076.