A rash of wildfires across the province of Manitoba underscores the fire risk facing homeowners nationwide as seasonal conditions are drier and warmer than usual. Currently there are seven forest fires burning in the province, with two mandatory evacuations under way.
The largest of the flames is a 20,000-hectare blaze located in the Beresford Lake region at the Manitoba-Ontario border. The fire is fueled by strong winds, according to a bulletin issued by the Wildfire Program of Manitoba Sustainable Development. Residents of the Beresford Cottage subdivision of Nopiming Provincial Park have been evacuated as emergency responders react to the fire with ground crews, water bombers and helicopters.
As well, the fire six kilometers northeast of Caddy Lake on the Manitoba-Ontario border has increased in size to approximately 1,000 hectares. This fire is impacting several lakes including West Hawk, Florence and Nora lakes and McDougalls Landing. Sprinkler setups continue for cabins in these areas.
The area of Whiteshell, Manitoba has also issued a mandatory evacuation notice due to a fire that has burned since Thursday, growing 500 hectares over the weekend to 700.
Stated the province in a news release, "Burning permits for the eastern, central and western areas of the province remain cancelled and motorized backcountry travel is banned between noon and 7 p.m. daily in southeast Manitoba."
Currently, there have been no reports of damaged homes due to the flames.
While there have been 45 fire incidents in the province so far this year – lower than the annual average of 70 – the fires are of rising concern for area residents given the massive 100,000-hectare uncontrolled forest fire burning in neighbouring Alberta. The Fort McMurray fire is estimated to burn for months, and may only be subdued by cooling weather conditions. The extent of damage has yet to be assessed, but is anticipated to be the costliest natural disaster facing insurers in Canadian history.
