More areas of Whiteshell Provincial Park will open today as suppression efforts hold the line, keeping a large wildfire at bay.
At 8 a.m. Wednesday, Crowduck Lake and Big Whiteshell Lake reopened for permanent residents, cottages and commercial operators.
Later this afternoon, at 4 p.m., Florence Lake, Nora Lake and Ophir Siding will also open.
Campgrounds at Big Whiteshell Lake will have a phased-in reopening, starting with seasonal campers on Friday, June 13.
The Mantario Wilderness Zone remains closed. That includes the Mantario Hiking Trail and Caddy Lake tunnels. Meanwhile, anyone returning to the reopened areas is encouraged to be prepared to evacuate again with little notice.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service says the province continues at a low-to-moderate fire danger level, with the northeast area under a high-to-extreme fire danger.
Near Flin Flon, the fire has grown to over 307,000 hectares and remains out of control. The deputy mayor of Flin Flon says there have been no structural fires, and they are currently working on a reentry plan.
"A timeline for re-entering is not fixed. It’s dependent on meeting critical conditions," said Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk. "This includes the condition of the fire, and the availability of safety services to return to regular community service."
She says all safety services, including the RCMP and fire department, are currently out managing the fires. Hospital services will also need to be restored before residents will be allowed to return.
"We know that the situation is frustrating and difficult. Our number one priority is to keep people safe," said Dallas-Funk. "When we have more information about timelines, we will let the community know promptly."
A total of 25 active wildfires continue to burn across the province.