‘Quite the summer': Snow Lake slowly getting back up and running amid evacuations
Mayor Ron Scott told Global Winnipeg on Friday that the ongoing work to keep wildfires at bay — which includes the efforts of firefighters from Mexico, plus 100 firefighters arriving from Costa Rica, as well as additional air resources — has allowed for municipal officials and some essential businesses to start getting the town back up and running.
'Right now there's minimal groceries in town — the grocery store and other vendors have to get their supplies in, get some of their people back in to get ready for everyone to come back … the post office, the bank, all the other services,' Scott said.
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Residents have been away from their homes since the July 9 evacuation, and fire crews continue to monitor hot spots around the community. The fires were initially started by several lightning strikes in very dry conditions.
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'We're working very closely with Manitoba Wildfire Service. We had a meeting on Tuesday evening … and of course the Emergency Management Organization,' he said.
'From their angle, the push is on to kill this fire.'
Scott said Snow Lake has also been getting some much-needed rain over the past few days, and that its residents remain optimistic about the possibility of returning soon.
'It's been quite the summer, with a huge amount of area burned, and our crews have been steady at it to defend the town.'
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