Military says over 1,000 people flown from fire-threatened Manitoba community
The Canadian Armed Forces says it's evacuated over a thousand residents of a northern Manitoba community threatened by a wildfire, while towns and villages in the province are welcoming cooler weather they say is helping firefighters.
The military began removing people from Garden Hill First Nation on CC-130 Hercules transport airplanes on Friday, and it says that as of Sunday afternoon, over 1,550 have been flown to Winnipeg.
Manitoba declares provincial state of emergency, again, due to wildfires
The Manitoba government has declared a provincial state of emergency once again, as wildfires continue to devastate parts of northern Manitoba.
Premier Wab Kinew announced the decision Thursday afternoon, saying the state of emergency officially took effect at 12:01 p.m.
"The primary reason that we have called this latest state of emergency is because we need access to more facilities to be able to shelter this large number of Manitobans who are being forced to flee their homes due to wildfires," he explains.
Wisconsin and Minnesota Republicans call on Canada to curb wildfire smoke
Six Republican lawmakers have sent a letter to Canada's ambassador calling for action on the wildfires sending smoke billowing across the international border into their states.
In a Tuesday letter to Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, representatives Tom Tiffany, Brad Finstad, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Glenn Grothman and Pete Stauber of Wisconsin and Minnesota said their constituents are coping with suffocating smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Crews continue battling wildfires as province provides an update
The latest update from the Manitoba Wildfire Service indicates that conditions remain largely unchanged from recent days.
Officials say the majority of the province remains at a high fire danger level.
Crews are actively responding to 83 wildfires. So far this season, 237 wildfires have been recorded in Manitoba, above the average for this date of 191 total fires.
Northern Manitoba city declares state of local emergency due to wildfire
Wildfires that had receded in northern Manitoba have begun to roar back, forcing a wave of new evacuations and a major hub for people living in the north to declare a state of emergency.
The province reported 81 active fires on Monday with 16 of those threatening communities, leaving some residents to leave their homes immediately, flee a second time or prepare to leave on a moment's notice.
Fire is threatening the northern city of Thompson and its 13,000 residents, resulting in officials declaring a local state of emergency effective until Aug. 6.
Manitoba's active wildfire count jumps to 81, and Nopiming fire grows
Most of Manitoba is under a high fire danger level, as per the most recent wildfire update from the provincial government.
Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister responsible for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) says there are 81 active wildfires in the province—a jump from the 64 reported on Friday.
Of those, she says 16 fires are threatening communities, primarily in northern Manitoba.
Wildfire prompts second evacuation of Lynn Lake in northern Manitoba
The 600 residents of Lynn Lake in northern Manitoba are being told to leave town for the second time this year due to wildfires.
Town officials say a fire is threatening Manitoba Hydro transmission lines and, if those lines are damaged, the community could be without power for a month.
The town is offering transportation for evacuees and a reception centre has been set up in Brandon, about 1,100 kilometres by road to the south.
Manitoba wildfires: What to know ahead of Canada Day
Ahead of Canada Day, the Manitoba Government is urging residents to celebrate with fire prevention in mind.
In its most recent wildfire update, the provincial Wildfire Service says there is an elevated fire danger in the southern half of Manitoba, as well as the northeastern corner.
More burn and travel restrictions easing Friday
A provincial spokesperson says recent rain is allowing for more fire-related restrictions to be lifted in Manitoba.
Kristin Hayward is Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS). She says on Friday at 8 am, all provincial travel and burn restrictions will be lifted in our province, with the exception of backcountry travel within boundaries of an active fire. In those locations, a travel permit will be required. Having said that, Hayward notes municipalities have the ability to set their own restrictions.
Provincial parks becoming more accessible as wildfire threat lessens
Most of Manitoba remains at a low fire danger, with the exception of the northwest area, which is at a high fire danger.