Latest news with #ManitobaGovernment
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
More evacuation orders to be lifted in parts of northwestern Manitoba after fires
Published Jun 20, 2025 • 2 minute read This May 27, 2025, aerial image courtesy of the Manitoba Government, shows wildfires burning in Flin Flon, Man. Photo by HANDOUT/Manitoba Government / AFP via Getty Images LYNN LAKE — Thousands more wildfire evacuees in Manitoba will start making the trek home in the coming days as officials in two northwestern communities lift their evacuation orders. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The roughly 600 residents of the town of Lynn Lake will be allowed to return to the community 775 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg starting at 8 a.m. Friday. In a social media post, the town said buses would be arranged for those who need help with transportation. 'An evacuation alert will remain in place,' the town said on social media. 'While it is now safe to return, residents must remain prepared to evacuate again with little notice if fire conditions worsen.' Residents were forced out a little more than one month ago by an out-of-control blaze that currently stands at 71 square kilometres in size. Active fire and hot spots remain close, the town said. Suppression efforts are ongoing, but there is a continued risk of smoke and falling ash, officials said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Further south, residents of the city of Flin Flon could start coming home by the middle of next week as officials prepare to lift their mandatory evacuation order. Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk, in a social media post Thursday, said the order is expected to be lifted at 9 a.m. on June 25, about one month after the city's 5,100 residents were forced out by a massive wildfire that began days earlier in nearby Creighton, Sask. She said most critical services and businesses, including power and gas, would be ready to go by Sunday. Barring further fire activity, she said council would meet Monday to officially rescind the order. 'Please be careful, all of the highways are going to be extremely busy,' said Dallas-Funk. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She said health services would be available in a limited capacity and added the grocery store won't have much in stock. Dallas-Funk said the town would work to secure buses to bring people home. Manitoba's wildfire service has said crews have made progress in combating the 3,700-square-kilometre fire near Flin Flon, but weather has hindered their efforts. The province has been experiencing what Premier Wab Kinew has described as its worst fire season in recent memory. At the peak of evacuations, about 21,000 people were out of their homes, putting pressure on the province's supply of hotel rooms and prompting Kinew's NDP government to encourage tourists to think twice about travelling to Manitoba. — By David Boles and Aaron Sousa in Edmonton Toronto & GTA MMA News Sunshine Girls World
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire evacuees staying in Winnipeg all now moved to hotels, province says
Wildfire evacuees in need of accommodations in Winnipeg have all been placed in hotels as of Wednesday morning, the province says. Congregate shelter sites at the Century and Eric Coy arenas and RRC Polytech in Winnipeg, and the site in Portage la Prairie, will now no longer be used for evacuees. But the site at the soccer complex on Leila Avenue will keep capacity in case any evacuees need emergency shelter, and Billy Mosienko Arena will remain a 24-hour reception centre, Manitoba's latest wildfire update on Wednesday said. Earlier Wednesday, a provincial spokesperson said the government is aware of about 130 structures lost to wildfires across Manitoba. However, the province will not provide further details or descriptions of those structures "until we can be sure that the affected individuals have been notified," the spokesperson said in an email. The south part of Nopiming Provincial Park has also reopened for permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators, which includes Provincial Road 315, Bird Lake, Booster Lake, Flanders Lake and Davidson Lake. A closure and mandatory evacuation order continues for the rest of the park, and the entire areas of Wallace Lake, South Atikaki and Manigotagan River provincial parks. There are 21 active wildfires burning across the province — six of which are out of control — and have been 124 to date this year, above the average for this time of year of 118 total fires, the province said. Since May 1, the Manitoba Conservation Officer Service has issued 93 charges and 31 warnings related to wildfires. The out-of-control fires include one near the northwestern city of Flin Flon, which is about 370,780 hectares, and one in the eastern area of Nopiming Provincial Park, which is about 218,700 hectares, the province said Wednesday. The Manitoba Wildfire Service is also updating fire and travel restrictions for many parts of the province to Level 2, starting 8 a.m. Thursday. Fire and travel restrictions have also been lifted for a number of provincial parks. Recent rainfall and a full green-up — green grass with less dead, cured leaves and full leaves on trees — have helped reduce the fire risk in some parts of Manitoba, though other areas are still at high risk, and significant fire suppression operations continue and restrictions remain in place there, the province said. The wildfires forced roughly 22,000 from their homes, officials said earlier this week, mainly in the north and north-central regions. Pimicikamak Cree Nation saw 7,000 forced out, but they are now allowed to go back. Flights have brought people back from Winnipeg, while buses have been chartered for those who were taken to Thompson. There was still no word on when the 5,000 residents of Flin Flon might be allowed to return. A fire nearby remained out of control and officials said there were hot spots not far from the community. Anyone going back to a reopened area should be prepared to evacuate again with little notice and should prepare an emergency go kit, as well as remain alert for evacuation notices, the province said.
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Wildfire evacuees continue returning home in Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Published Jun 17, 2025 • 1 minute read This May 29, 2025, aerial image courtesy of the Manitoba Government, shows wildfires burning in the Nopiming Provincial Park in the area of Bird River, Man. Photo by HANDOUT / Manitoba Government / AFP via Getty Images WINNIPEG — Wildfire evacuees continued to make their way home in some Manitoba communities Tuesday, but there were hurdles. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Tataskweyak Cree Nation lifted its evacuation order Monday evening, then told the community's 2,400 residents Tuesday morning the return was being delayed due to problems with the water system. 'Water tests came back (with) high aluminum. The pipes and reservoir will need to be cleaned and samples taken after the cleaning,' said a message posted on the chief and council's Facebook page. An evacuation order also was lifted Tuesday for the dozens of evacuees from Bissett, near the Manitoba-Ontario boundary. They were forced out last month by a wildfire near Nopiming Provincial Park. Residents in Flin Flon, one of the largest communities evacuated, were still waiting for the fire threat to diminish before they could be allowed to return. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An out-of-control fire covering roughly 3,700 sq. km continued to burn north and east of the city of 5,000 people. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Manitoba's latest report said crews were battling 18 fires, eight of which were out of control. At the peak of evacuations, about 21,000 residents were out of their homes, putting pressure on the province's supply of hotel rooms and prompting Premier Wab Kinew's government to encourage tourists to reconsider Manitoba travel plans. A third of those evacuees came from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in the north-central region. They have started returning home, as are residents in Snow Lake, Sherridon and Herb Lake Landing. Rain and cooler temperatures have brought relief to both Manitoba and Saskatchewan in recent days, allowing fire bans to be reduced and more evacuees to go home. In Saskatchewan, the province reported 13 active fires, with three out of control. Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said Monday that people across 34 communities were in the process of returning. — With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina. Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists NHL Editorial Cartoons
Toronto Sun
13-06-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Manitoba communities prepare to return home after wildfires displaced thousands
Published Jun 13, 2025 • 2 minute read This May 29, 2025, aerial image courtesy of the Manitoba Government, shows wildfires burning in the Nopiming Provincial Park in the area of Bird River, Man. Photo by HANDOUT / Manitoba Government / AFP via Getty Images WINNIPEG — Two First Nations organizations are teaming up to provide services for northern Manitoba wildfire evacuees, while some affected communities are getting set to return home. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents 32 First Nations in southern Manitoba, says it will provide culturally safe supports to hundreds who have fled to Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and the Winkler and Morden area. Thousands from five northern First Nations have been forced out of their home communities over the last two weeks, with many of them staying in Winnipeg. The organization will oversee the operation of reception centres, distribute supplies and provide on-site safety and security at evacuation centres and hotels in collaboration with local municipalities and emergency services. Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said the organization is committed to compassionate, dignified and culturally grounded care. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Having to meet the need that we are seeing on the ground, I think, has been the highest priority for all of us and being able to do that in a timely way, as well, has been very important to everybody who's going through this situation right now.' Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 26 northern First Nations, including those that have evacuated, has spearheaded support efforts in Winnipeg, but said it needed help to reach evacuees outside the city. 'We don't have enough manpower to be able to go to all of these,' Grand Chief Garrison Settee told reporters Friday. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has said some hotel owners are not doing enough to help evacuees. After touring some fire-hit areas Thursday, he said most hotel operators have been great, but some need to open up rooms as there are evacuees still sleeping in cots in emergency shelters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Meanwhile, some communities are preparing to return home this weekend. Residents from Snow Lake, in northwestern Manitoba, have been told the mandatory evacuation order issued a week ago has been lifted. People can begin going home early Saturday, the town said on social media. The post told residents to stock up on groceries and other essential supplies and pack a to-go bag in case fire conditions worsen and they have to evacuate again. Officials in Flin Flon said late Thursday that fire crews are holding the fire line and conditions are stabilizing. Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk said the city has reached out to the Northern Health Region to see about reinstating basic core health care services, one of the conditions that needs to be met before the city's 5,000 residents can return. 'We're hoping to get some answers from them as soon as possible,' she said. About 21,000 people in Manitoba have had to evacuate, including from Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and other areas. There's a fire burning about five kilometres away from Pimicikamak, while the one near Flin Flon is the largest in the province, spanning about 3,000 square kilometres. A smaller fire is burning south of Cranberry Portage, but the community's 600 residents will be allowed to return home starting Saturday. World Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Canada Music
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Cooler weather, rain bolster wildfire fight in Flin Flon
A wildfire in the Flin Flon, Man. area is shown in a government handout photo on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — Manitoba Government *MANDATORY CREDIT* A weekend of more moderate weather helped keep the wildfire threatening Flin Flon at bay. The city posted on its Facebook page Sunday night that cooler weather and rain bolstered firefighting efforts over the weekend. There have been no structure fires in the city, the update added, and crews continue to monitor for hot spots. 'As this is an active and volatile situation, we are still under a mandatory evacuation order, as well as a state of emergency,' the post said. 'Only authorized emergency personnel are permitted to enter the community.' The city also said water and wastewater facilities are fully functional, and testing has been done to ensure drinking water is safe. Wellness checks also continue for the community's pets, the city added. The province's latest fire bulletin released Sunday noted the fire near Sherridon, which triggered Flin Flon's evacuation, is still over 300,000 hectares – about five times the size of Winnipeg. It is deemed out of control.
