Wildfire

Smoke drifting in from wildfires burning in northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan is causing pockets of poor air quality and reduced visibility across the region.

As a result, a special air quality statement has been issued.

According to Environment Canada and Manitoba Health, conditions can change quickly, even from hour to hour, depending on wind and smoke levels.

With extreme wildfire danger threatening much of the province, the Manitoba government has declared a provincial state of emergency and implemented Level 3 fire and travel restrictions across all designated burn permit areas as of 8 a.m., Thursday, May 30.

The restrictions will remain in place until at least June 26.

A beloved wilderness camp operated by a Winnipeg inner-city ministry is under immediate threat from a fast-moving wildfire near Nopiming Provincial Park.

Kent Dueck, founder and executive director of Inner City Youth Alive, says the fire is now burning less than one kilometre from Gem Lake Wilderness Camp, a remote site that has served as a safe haven for at-risk youth from Winnipeg's inner city for nearly two decades.

"We're praying for a miracle," Dueck told CHVN in an interview Friday morning. “Right now, the camp’s future is in the balance.”

Over 3,000 people are trapped as a wildfire closes in on Pukatawagan in the Mathais Colomb First Nation. 

Chief Gordie Bear declared an evacuation in the community on Wednesday, and it's reported that thick smoke led to the closure of their airport, one of the only remaining ways out of the area. 

As of Thursday, the fire had grown to over 9,700 hectares and was quickly surrounding the remote island community. 

Judith Moore said on Facebook she was evacuated from her home at 3 a.m.

With wildfires popping up daily in Manitoba, the province has decided to implement new restrictions related to the fire ban. 

As of 8 a.m. on Friday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service has implemented Level 3 fire and travel restrictions for the entire province. 

This means:

The Austin Fire Department is reminding residents that fires can start from almost anything, following a grass fire Thursday afternoon just north of Road 70N along Highway 34.

Crews were dispatched around 12:31 p.m. on May 29 to reports of a fire in a field where cattle had been wintered.

As wildfires continue to burn out of control in northern Manitoba, animals are being left behind or brought to safety and displaced with nothing. 

To help comfort families and their furry friends, the City of Winnipeg Animal Services has opened up their facilities as a drop-off spot for animal food donations. 

As thousands of wildfire evacuees arrive in Winnipeg, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the First Nations Family Advocate Office have teamed up to collect much-needed items for families. 

To do this, they have organized a donation drive. 

"We are collecting new or gently used, clean items to help provide comfort and basic necessities to families who have been displaced and are facing uncertainty during this difficult time," said the First Nations Family Advocate Office. "Many have left their homes with just the clothes on their backs."

A ministry is asking for prayer after the Denare Beach location has been evacuated due to the wildfires in northern Manitoba. 

Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada shared on Facebook on Thursday saying, "Please join us in prayer for our Denare Beach Campus, which has been evacuated due to the threat of a nearby forest fire. We are incredibly thankful that all students and staff are safe."

The staff and students are now being temporarily evacuated to the Steinbach campus. 

The Canadian Armed Forces and Perimeter Aviation are working to evacuate residents from Cross Lake as an aggressive wildfire continues to threaten the Northern Manitoba community.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) remains under a serious threat as a fast-moving wildfire burns dangerously close to the community. In a Facebook post Friday, Chief David Monias said the fire now has eight heads and is beginning to surround the area.