Latest news with #AllisonDallasFunk
CBC
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Flin Flon wildfire situation 'a timebomb' but so far no structures lost, mayor says
The wildfire gnawing at the edge of Flin Flon is being fought by some 200 firefighters but the battle is really in the hands of Mother Nature, says the mayor. "Generally, it depends which way the winds blow and how hard they blow and what direction they're going to come from. It's just a fluid situation," George Fontaine told Heather Hiscox on CBC Morning Live on Monday. "I've been expecting to hear catastrophic news and so the fact that I've not heard that has really made me feel a whole lot better. But we're still in the same situation, it's a time bomb." The vast majority of the city of about 5,000 in northwestern Manitoba was cleared out on Wednesday, with the remaining few — members of city council and some civic employees — leaving Thursday. Fontaine, who's staying at his son's home in Winnipeg, said the last update he received was Sunday night and so far no structures within the city have been impacted. "I'm hoping that it goes in a positive direction and we continue to do what we do. Everybody's doing everything they can," he said. "It's really at the mercy of Mother Nature right now. Anything could happen." Late Sunday afternoon, deputy Mayor Allison Dallas-Funk posted an update on the City of Flin Flon's Facebook page, saying the winds had picked up to such an extreme degree that crew lost the 12 hours of progress they had made trying to push the fire back. However, the forecast for Monday calls for more favourable weather — cooler temperatures and some rain. It was 25 C on Sunday with wind gusts over 50 km/h. A high of 19 C is expected Monday with a few showers through the morning and into the afternoon. Winds, though, are still expected to be 30-50 km/h before easing up in the evening. In addition to the 200 firefighters, the Flin Flon response includes two heavy helitankers that can carry massive bags of water, three smaller helicopter buckets, three water bombers, and 19 pumper trucks, Fontaine said. "We have everything that can be thrown at it that's available. Provincially, they are stretched so thin," he said. As of Sunday (the most recent update from the province), there were 25 active wildfires in Manitoba. There have been a total of 106 already this season, far above the province's 20-year annual average of 84 at this time of year. 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.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Mayor of Flin Flon, Man., says fierce winds may cause wildfire to hit his city
The mayor of Flin Flon, Man., says fierce, shifting winds are threatening to propel a nearby raging wildfire into the city and begin burning structures. 'Unless we get one heck of a boost, it's projected to take chunks out of our town and surrounding areas,' George Fontaine said in an interview Friday. 'It's looking very ugly right now.' Fontaine added, 'We're trying to manage and maintain and keep our crews. 'We're begging for air support (to help douse the fire). It's really crucial.' All 5,000 residents of the remote municipality 630 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg were ordered out this week ahead of a wildfire that began over the boundary in Saskatchewan but is now menacing Flin Flon on its northern perimeter. There are another 1,000 people in cottages and homes surrounding Flin Flon. The city has directed all remaining residents to be out before noon Friday, with buses taking those who don't have shelter to Winnipeg. Flin Flon Deputy Mayor Allison Dallas-Funk urged residents in a social media video to let them know if anyone is being left behind. 'The RCMP have done door-knocking (and) have gone to apartments. We've checked all the seniors complexes, however, we can still miss some folks,' Dallas-Funk said. Winnipeg has opened up public buildings for evacuees as it deals with hotels already crammed with other fire refugees and conventiongoers. The province declared a provincewide state of emergency this week to help various levels of government coordinate a response. The federal government has also agreed to deploy the military after being asked for help by Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. Manitoba is having one of its worst fire years in recent memory, with about 17,000 people out of their homes due to the fires. Most of them in the remote north. The fire menacing Flin Flon began Monday near Creighton, Sask., and quickly jumped the boundary into Manitoba. It has grown from 10 to 40 square kilometres and crews have struggled to contain it. wildfire evacuation Canadian Armed Forces members help Manitobans evacuate from a wildfire on May 29, 2025. (X: @DavidMcGuinty) Water bombers have been intermittently grounded due to heavy smoke and a drone incursion. The 1,200 or so residents of Creighton have also been ordered out, many of whom have gone to nearby Nipawin, Sask. In total, more than 4,000 people have fled wildfires in Saskatchewan. Meanwhile, Alberta, which has taken the brunt of wildfire damage in recent years, has been comparatively better off. But the 1,300 residents of Swan Hills, northwest of Edmonton, have been ordered out, as have the 900 residents of Chateh in the northwestern corner of the province. Firefighters battling a blaze near Chipewyan Lake, Alta., lost radio contact late Thursday and were forced to take shelter at the local fire hall and school. Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen, on social media, said smoke has stymied attempts to get them out. He also said some structures have been damaged by the fire, but it's unclear how badly they were hit. Loewen's press secretary says an update will be provided later Friday. wildfire evacuation Canadian Armed Forces members help Manitobans evacuate from a wildfire on May 29, 2025. (X: @DavidMcGuinty) Canadian Armed Forces helping with evacuations in Manitoba Canada's Minister of National Defence shared an update online Friday, saying Armed Forces have been brought into Manitoba to help evacuate people from communities impacted by the wildfires. 'In response to a request for assistance from Manitoba, (the Canadian Armed Forces) are providing airlift and logistics support to assist in the evacuation of residents,' David McGuinty said in a post on X. In response to a request for assistance from Manitoba, @CanadianForces are providing airlift and logistics support to assist in the evacuation of residents. To the CAF, firefighters, and emergency management personnel who are working tirelessly—thank you. — David McGuinty (@DavidMcGuinty) May 30, 2025 The minister thanked everyone who is 'working tirelessly' during this emergency situation. wildfire evacuations Canadian Armed Forces members help Manitobans evacuate from a wildfire on May 29, 2025. (X: @DavidMcGuinty) -- By Jeremy Simes in Regina, with files from Matthew Scace in Calgary. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Mayor of Flin Flon says fierce winds may cause wildfire to hit the Manitoba city
The mayor of Flin Flon, Man., says fierce, shifting winds are threatening to propel a nearby raging wildfire into the city and begin burning structures. 'Unless we get one heck of a boost, it's projected to take chunks out of our town and surrounding areas,' George Fontaine said in an interview Friday morning. 'It's looking very ugly right now.' Fontaine added, 'We're trying to manage and maintain and keep our crews. 'We're begging for air support [to help douse the fire]. It's really crucial.' Saskatchewan declares state of emergency as wildfires force evacuations in western and central Canada All 5,000 residents of the remote municipality 630 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg were ordered out this week ahead of a wildfire that began over the boundary in Saskatchewan but is now menacing Flin Flon on its northern perimeter. There are another 1,000 people in cottages and homes surrounding Flin Flon. The city has directed all remaining residents to be out before noon Friday, with buses taking those who don't have shelter to Winnipeg. Flin Flon Deputy Mayor Allison Dallas-Funk urged residents in a social media video to let them know if anyone is being left behind. 'The RCMP have done door-knocking (and) have gone to apartments. We've checked all the seniors complexes, however, we can still miss some folks,' Dallas-Funk said. Winnipeg has opened up public buildings for evacuees as it deals with hotels already crammed with other fire refugees and conventiongoers. The province declared a provincewide state of emergency this week to help various levels of government co-ordinate a response. The federal government has also agreed to deploy the military after being asked for help by Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. Manitoba is having one of its worst fire years in recent memory, with about 17,000 people out of their homes due to the fires. Most of them in the remote north. The fire menacing Flin Flon began Monday near Creighton, Sask., and quickly jumped the boundary into Manitoba. It has grown from 10 to 40 square kilometres and crews have struggled to contain it. Water bombers have been intermittently grounded due to heavy smoke and a drone incursion. The 1,200 or so residents of Creighton have also been ordered out, many of whom have gone to nearby Nipawin, Sask. In total, more than 4,000 people have fled wildfires in Saskatchewan. Meanwhile, Alberta, which has taken the brunt of wildfire damage in recent years, has been comparatively better off. But the 1,300 residents of Swan Hills, northwest of Edmonton, have been ordered out, as have the 900 residents of Chateh in the northwestern corner of the province. Firefighters battling a blaze near Chipewyan Lake, Alta., lost radio contact late Thursday and were forced to take shelter at the local fire hall and school. Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen, on social media, said smoke has stymied attempts to get them out. He also said some structures have been damaged by the fire, but it's unclear how badly they were hit. Loewen's press secretary says an update will be provided later Friday.
