Wildfires in Piney, Lac du Bonnet, Bird River, and the Ingolf area are all still listed as ‘out of control’, however, firefighters are making progress.
As of 12:20 p.m., Manitoba Wildfire Services (MWS) says the Piney wildfire is approximately 50 per cent contained. According to MWS, crews were able to put out 20 hot spots along the perimeter of the fire on Saturday and are continuing efforts on Sunday.
The RM of Piney says the public will be updated as soon as the fire status has changes from ‘out of control’ to 'being held' (100 per cent contained).
According to Lac du Bonnet Emergency Management, MWS is making great progress in containing the wildfire that is in the north Wendigo and Lettoni area. The fire is still approximately 4,000 hectares in size.
Lac du Bonnet Emergency Management says MWS’s mission is to control all of the boundaries of the fire so that there is no risk of flare ups. Many of the hot spots that remain need to be addressed with hand tools and hoses. If they are not addressed, they could blow into a full fire and impact life and property safety.
Meanwhile, the emergency management team says Manitoba Hydro crews continue their huge job to remove broken equipment and replace over 200 poles in the north Wendigo area. Hydro needs controlled access to the roads to accomplish this work. This area remains under a full evacuation order and roadblocks remain in place.
Residents are asked to remain patient and respect these roadblocks as they are in place for your safety and that of our hydro workers.
Looking at the Bird River Fire, the RM of Alexander says crews are starting the laying of hoses, attack lines, along the fire line starting from the east end of Bird River along the South Shore today. They are also maintaining the value protection of all structures closest to the fire and threat.
As of 10 a.m. on Sunday, the RM of Alexander says no buildings have been affected within the municipality. Ground crews, along with a Helicopter Water Bucket, will be working on the fire line suppressing the fire line and associated hot spots. The rain and cool weather has helped significantly but the fire is still ‘out of control’ and the weather is warming with no significant rain predicted.
The evacuation order remains in place today and authorities note that the RCMP are enforcing the evacuation and charges may be laid for those trying to enter without authority.
In the municipalities Facebook message to evacuated residents, they say "Take care. Stay Safe. We realize this is very stressful and are trying to keep you informed as best as possible.”
Information on the Ingolf Fire affected Whiteshell Provincial Park is harder to come by.
The latest information from Saturday indicates that Manitoba parks continue to coordinate closely with Manitoba Wildfire Service and Ontario crews to manage fires in the region.
While the weather has brought a short reprieve with lower fire danger, the forest remains dry and fire risk persists. Efforts are focused on containment and value protection in priority areas of Whiteshell Provincial Park. The Manitoba portion of this fire is currently estimated at approximately 4,000 hectares.
Hydro remains on within Whiteshell Provincial Park.