Most of Manitoba remains at a low fire danger, with the exception of the northwest area, which is at a high fire danger.
Manitoba Parks is informing the public that on Friday at 8 am, Manigotagan River Provincial Park along with a portion of the northwest corner of Nopiming Provincial Park including Quesnel Lake will reopen to day users, cottagers, and commercial operators. A closure and mandatory evacuation order continues for the rest of Nopiming Provincial Park and the entire areas of Wallace Lake and South Atikaki provincial parks. These areas and parks remain closed to park users including permanent residents, cottagers, commercial operators, seasonal and nightly campers, backcountry users, and day visitors. As a reminder, the south part of Nopiming is open to permanent residents, cottagers, and commercial operators including Provincial Road (PR) 315, Bird Lake, Booster Lake, Flanders Lake, and Davidson Lake.
In Whiteshell Provincial Park, the Whiteshell River water route from the second tunnel at North Cross Lake through to Little Whiteshell Lake is now open including access through both tunnels. Backcountry camping is available along the Whiteshell River water route.
The Mantario wilderness area remains closed. The portage on Sailing Lake into Granite Lake and portage at the north end of Marion Lake is closed in Whiteshell Provincial Park. The Mantario Hiking Trail is closed and expected to remain closed for an extended period. Anyone who was planning to hike the trail this summer should make alternate plans.
The mandatory evacuation order for Flin Flon has been lifted. All residents can now return home. Also as of Wednesday morning, the Schist Lake, Big Island Lake, and Little Athapapuskow cottage areas, which are within the jurisdiction of the province's Northern Affairs Cottage Program, reopened for all residents and cottage owners.
Additionally, Bakers Narrows Provincial Park reopened Wednesday for permanent residents, cottagers, and commercial operators. However, the Bakers Narrows campground will remain closed for nightly and seasonal campers until at least Thursday, July 17. This closure may be extended, depending on how the situation evolves.
The Flin Flon airport at Bakers Narrows remains closed with aircraft restrictions in place to support ongoing wildfire suppression efforts. For the safety of personnel, boaters are asked to avoid waterways being utilized by Manitoba Wildfire Service tankers and aircraft.
Areas 1 to 5 and areas 8 to 22 are at Level 2. This means:
- Provincial burning permits are cancelled. Burn permits may be issued for agriculture and industry under the discretion of a conservation officer and the Manitoba Wildfire Service.
- Motorized backcountry travel, including ATVs and other off-road vehicles, is prohibited unless under the authority of a travel permit.
- A travel permit is required for remote travel within the boundaries of a fire.
- Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds.
- Campfires are only permitted between the hours of 8 pm and 8 am.
- Wayside parks remain open.
- Landing and launching are restricted to developed shorelines only.
- Industry and outfitters may be restricted in their operations and should contact their local National Resources and Indigenous Futures office for more information.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 18 active wildfires across the province, for a total of 131 wildfires to date. The average for this date is 138 total fires. The total area burned in the province is more than 909,000 hectares (ha).
Fires of note include:
East region:
- Fire EA061 remains out of control at approximately 226,160 ha. Provincial Road (PR) 315 is open with access to Bird Lake, Booster Lake, Flanders Lake and Davidson Lake. A closure and mandatory evacuation order continues for parts of Nopiming Provincial Park and the entire areas of Wallace Lake and South Atikaki provincial parks. PR 314 remains closed through Nopiming Provincial Park.
West region:
- Fire WE017, located near Sherridon and the city of Flin Flon, is approximately 370,780 ha and is out of control. Evacuees from the city of Flin Flon are able to return home starting today.
- Fire WE025, located near Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), is approximately 55,140 ha and is being monitored. The fire around Mathias Colomb Cree Nation is contained but a mandatory evacuation order continues for Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan).
- Fire WE028, located 10 km from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, is approximately 7,200 ha and is out of control.
North region:
- Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 71,860 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO005, located near Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake, Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 64,860 ha and is out of control.
- Fire NO010, located near Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is approximately 21,560 ha and is out of control.