Thousands more fleeing communities for safety from out-of-control wildfires, Manitoba premier says

Premier Wab Kinew says he expects thousands more people from northern parts of Manitoba under threat from wildfires to be evacuated from their communities and into other parts of the province — predominantly in Winnipeg.

We do expect some very, very challenging conditions in Flin Flon and in the surrounding community, particularly later this afternoon, Kinew said at a Friday news conference.

The situation there is very, very serious, and we are doing everything that we can to preserve life — but also to preserve people’s livelihoods and homes in the region.

He said a final evacuation in the northwestern city of Flin Flon, which has a population of about 5,000, has now happened, with only firefighters and other officials left behind. A number of other communities are also being evacuated due to wildfires, including Bakers Narrows in northern Manitoba and Bissett in the province’s east.

Kinew said military Hercules planes are being used to bring people from Pimicikamak Cree Nation who were temporarily in Norway House Cree Nation to Winnipeg, while other aircraft are bringing people from Pukatawagan to The Pas for medical attention if needed before transporting them to Winnipeg as well.

The situation in Pukatawagan became dangerous and scary for residents overnight, he said, when the fire situation got considerably worse and threatened the airport — creating a desperate need to get people out faster.

The premier gave updates on a number of other communities affected by the blazes Friday, including Sherridon, which he said is surrounded by fire and currently being held off, and Tataskweyak Cree Nation (also known as Split Lake), where he said a fire started Thursday.

Communities like Thompson, Portage la Prairie, The Pas, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Norway House Cree Nation and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation are all welcoming people into congregate shelters as they flee the fires, said Kinew.

As of Thursday (the most recent update from the province), there were 22 active wildfires in Manitoba. There have been a total of 103 already this season, far above the province’s 20-year annual average of 80 at this time of year.

Manitoba declared a provincewide state of emergency over the wildfires on Wednesday.

More than 17,000 people are being evacuated from northern, western and eastern regions of the province.

The Manitoba FireView map includes locations, sizes and other information about the wildfires.

This article is republished from RCI.