Fire Bulletin #17

Press Release

August 29, 2024

There are currently 83 active wildfires across the province, with a total of 275 wildfires this season. Due to ongoing lightning and human caused fires, new wildfire starts continue to persist, especially in the western region.

The wildfire (NO097) approximately 10 kilometres (km) south of the community of Bunibonibee Cree Nation (Oxford House) has now been contained, which has allowed residents of Bunibonibee to plan for a return home starting this weekend.

Manitoba is continuing to receive assistance from other jurisdictions during this fire season; currently, there are 41 personnel from Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) and 11 personnel from Minnesota assisting in fire response across the province. The Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) thanks these partners for their assistance.

MWS continues to respond to the following fires of note in the northern region:

• Fire NO144, located 5.5 km north of Lynn Lake, is estimated less than one hectare (ha) in size and is under control.
• Fire NO097, 10 km south of Bunibonibee Cree Nation, is estimated at 11,518 ha in size. Crews continue to target hotspots detected from scanning operations.
• Fire NO113, 11 km northeast of Manto Sipi Cree Nation, is estimated at 972 ha in size. Suppression efforts have contained the fire to ensure it does not spread towards the community.
• Fire NO071 four km east of Marcel Colomb First Nation, is 3,020 ha in size and is contained. There is no risk to the community, but smoke may be an issue in the general area. Firefighting crews continue to make progress targeting hot spots detected from scanning operations.
• Fire NO063, eight km northeast of Marcel Colomb First Nation, is approximately 1,851 ha in size and is responding well to suppression activities. This fire is contained and is no risk to the community.
• Fire NO038, 60 km northeast of Thompson and 55 km west of Split Lake, is 20,489 ha in size. The fire continues to be assessed for targeted response options as required. MWS has crews on the south side to control spread towards Provincial Road 280.
• Fire NO055, 35 km north of Garden Hill, 22 km south of God’s Lake Narrows and 40 km west of Red Sucker Lake, is 40,186 ha in size. MWS continues to focus on protecting Manitoba Hydro infrastructure and the Bell communication tower that services the Island Lake and Red Sucker Lake areas. Value protection equipment has been set up on infrastructure at risk within the vicinity of this fire.

In the west region:

• Fire WE076, located seven km north of Flin Flon, is approximately five ha in size. The fire has been contained and crews continue with final stages of suppression efforts.
• Fire WE032, located 23 km east of Pukatawagan, is approximately 36,000 ha in size. Smoke may be an issue in the community of Pukatawagan depending on wind direction.

MWS continues to monitor active fires in the far north and in areas that do not pose an immediate risk to communities or infrastructure.

Provincial burning permits are required for outdoor fires set within the burn permit area from April 1 to Nov. 15 annually. Permits can be acquired at provincial district offices. Provincial burn permits issued under the Wildfires Act may be cancelled or restricted at short notice if fire danger conditions require. The province will not issue burning permits for areas where municipalities have already implemented burning restrictions. To check for municipal burning restrictions, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.html.

For more information on burn permits, contact a local municipality or the local Manitoba Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources office. Burn permit holders are reminded to check weather conditions, have adequate suppression equipment and ensure proper fuel breaks are in place before burning. Never leave an outdoor fire unattended, always extinguish it before leaving and exercise caution when in or near forested areas.

Manitobans can play a critical role in mitigating wildfire risks around their home and properties by undertaking FireSmart activities. For more information, visit https://firesmartcanada.ca/.

Further details, updates, restrictions, and other important wildfire information is available at https://gov.mb.ca/wildfire/. To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line (toll-free) at 1-800-782-0076.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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