News Releases

Media Bulletin - Manitoba

May 31, 2018

Fire Bulletin #12



Provincial resources including Manitoba Sustainable Development, Emergency Measures Organization and the Office of the Fire Commissioner continue to work on a number of fires around the province.  Forty firefighters from Ontario will be returning home today, leaving 80 Ontario firefighters still in the province, while two water bombers from Quebec are still assisting provincial efforts.

Fire crews continue to work on the fire between the Little Grand Rapids First Nation and the Pauingassi First Nation, which covers over25,000 hectares andis about four kilometres from Pauingassi.  Recent rain has helped the efforts but the fire is still not under control and the evacuation order remains in effect for both communities.  Power remains out to the area, but crews are hoping that in the coming days it will be safe for Manitoba Hydro to schedule aerial and ground assessments to power lines in and around both communities.  Indigenous Services Canada has approved the request from the Canadian Red Cross and the Little Grand Rapids First Nation for a Community Wildfire Impact Assessment Team to deploy to the community in order to assess damages.  Repatriation and safety plans have been prepared by the Little Grand Rapids First Nation with support from the Canadian Red Cross.  Indigenous Services Canada is working to ensure required resources are available to the team.

Manitoba is also working with Norway House Animal Rescue to assist with feeding of pets left behind by the evacuees.  Food supply and feeding efforts are being co-ordinated with the Canadian Red Cross, RCMP and provincial staff on the ground in Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi.

The fires near the community of Ashern are considered under control, with crews remaining in the area to monitor and address a few hot spots.  Recent rain and high humidity assisted suppression efforts on fires near the community of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, but the community remains evacuated.

Six new fires started yesterday and the total number of fires in Manitoba to date is 206, well above the 20-year average of 119 for this date.

A list of parks with campfire restrictions can be found at www.manitobaparks.com.  Visitors to provincial parks should check with park staff for the most up-to-date information.

A map of the areas affected and a detailed description of the provincial fire and travel restrictions can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/fire/Restrictions/index.html.  Local municipalities may also implement burning bans or fire restrictions.  Check with local municipal offices or visit www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.html for more information.

For further general information on fire status, maps, burning permit cancellations or other restrictions go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/ or follow the Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MBGovNews.

For additional information on these restrictions, contact the nearest Manitoba Sustainable Development office.  To report a wildfire, call 911 or the T.I.P. line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076.

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