A phased reopening has been announced for select areas of Whiteshell Provincial Park.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service reports that the wildfire along the Ontario border and inside the park remains out of control. However, it says progress is being made, permitting a phased reopening of select areas along the western and southern lakes in the park that are a safe distance from the fire. Permanent residents, cottagers, and commercial operators will be welcome to return first, while campgrounds will remain closed to limit traffic volumes as staff resources are committed to the wildfire response.
On Wednesday at 9 am, Provincial Road (PR) 307 reopened for local traffic from Seven Sisters east to Betula Lake. Traffic is restricted to the following areas: Sylvia Lake, Eleanor Lake, Dorothy Lake, Otter Falls, Barrier Bay, Nutimik Lake, and Betula Lake. Access to these lakes is only through Seven Sisters, as PR 307 remains closed at Rennie to Betula Lake.
Falcon Lake and Barren Lake will also reopen to local traffic.
All seasonal and nightly campsites across the Whiteshell remain closed. Campsite reservations have been cancelled up to and including May 29th including Betula Lake, Big Whiteshell, Brereton Lake, Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore, Nutimik, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls, West Hawk, and White Lake. Campground closures may be extended, depending on how the situation evolves. The Parks Reservation Service will contact all affected reservation holders and refunds will be issued. Seasonal campers will be contacted when it is safe to return and pro-rated refunds will be issued for the length of the closure.
All hiking trails and water routes remain closed and all back country travel is prohibited. A full fire ban also remains in effect.
Meanwhile, the Nopiming Provincial Park remains closed and evacuation orders remain in place. According to our province, the wildfire remains out of control and has burned a large area of the park. The closure includes all public and private developed areas including cottage subdivisions, commercial areas, campgrounds, group use, day use, and all recreational areas including trails, beaches, backcountry areas, canoe routes, and campsites.
Camping reservations have been cancelled until May 30th including Bird Lake, Beresford Lake, Black Lake, Shoe Lake, and Tulabi Falls. Campground closures may be extended. The Parks Reservation Service will contact all affected reservation holders and refunds will be issued. Seasonal campers will be contacted when it is safe to return and pro-rated refunds will be issued for the length of the closure.
The state of local emergency for Nopiming and Whiteshell provincial parks remains in place. Manitoba Parks is continuously evaluating the situation alongside the Manitoba Wildfire Service and will continue to reopen additional areas as conditions improve.