Manitoba plays the waiting game to get wildfire evacuees into hotels: Kinew

CTV News

14 hours ago

A reception centre for evacuees of the wildfires in northern Manitoba is being staffed by provincial Emergency Social Services, and the Canadian Red Cross at the Billy Mosienko Arena in Winnipeg, Thursday, May 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province is playing the waiting game as it looks to get thousands of wildfire evacuees into hotels.
Kinew told reporters at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce today that more than 18-thousand people are already in hotels or are staying with family, but many remain in congregate shelters.
He says getting those evacuees into private accommodations is a balancing act because many hotel rooms are being reserved for people with 'intense' medical issues.
Officials say a trio of fires in northern Manitoba, including near the city of Flin Flon, have merged into a single massive fire just shy of 300 square kilometres in size.
The City of Flin Flon on social media says no structures have been lost in the city or in nearby Creighton, Sask.
They say winds are blowing from the south and are causing heavy smoke and fire to move towards the south side of Flin Flon.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
The Canadian Press