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CTV News
2 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire contained near Manitoba city of Flin Flon as hot, dry weather continues
This photo provided by the Manitoba government shows wildfires in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Manitoba government via AP) FLIN FLON — Fire crews in northern Manitoba have so far been able to contain an encroaching wildfire that forced thousands of residents from their homes. Officials in Flin Flon, Man., say the fire burning near the mining city has been contained to outside it's perimeter highway, and that as of Saturday evening there have been no structure losses. The province has issued an evacuation order for Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, just south of Flin Flon, due to the blaze in the area. City officials say there were some property and structure losses in the Bakers Narrows area, but did not have total numbers on how many properties were affected. Wildfires in Manitoba have displaced more than 17,000 people, and evacuees are being offered food and shelter in several communities. Thousands have also been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with several communities already forced to evacuate. The weather has not been co-operating in parts of the Prairie provinces where wildfires are burning out-of-control. Flin Flon Mayor George Fontaine has said a change in wind directions could push the fire into the city. Officials said in a Facebook post Sunday morning that hydro has been restored in parts of the city and that work continues to get all areas back online. 'We're incredibly grateful for all of the support that departments from across Manitoba have provided us. They've done an outstanding job protecting our homes and the town we love,' the post said. 'Our utmost gratitude goes out to all of those who have taken time away from their homes and families to put themselves in harm's way.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025. The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wildfire contained near Manitoba city of Flin Flon as hot, dry weather continues
FLIN FLON – Fire crews in northern Manitoba have so far been able to contain an encroaching wildfire that forced thousands of residents from their homes. Officials in Flin Flon, Man., say the fire burning near the mining city has been contained to outside it's perimeter highway, and that as of Saturday evening there have been no structure losses. The province has issued an evacuation order for Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, just south of Flin Flon, due to the blaze in the area. City officials say there were some property and structure losses in the Bakers Narrows area, but did not have total numbers on how many properties were affected. Wildfires in Manitoba have displaced more than 17,000 people, and evacuees are being offered food and shelter in several communities. Thousands have also been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with several communities already forced to evacuate. The weather has not been co-operating in parts of the Prairie provinces where wildfires are burning out-of-control. Flin Flon Mayor George Fontaine has said a change in wind directions could push the fire into the city. Officials said in a Facebook post Sunday morning that hydro has been restored in parts of the city and that work continues to get all areas back online. 'We're incredibly grateful for all of the support that departments from across Manitoba have provided us. They've done an outstanding job protecting our homes and the town we love,' the post said. 'Our utmost gratitude goes out to all of those who have taken time away from their homes and families to put themselves in harm's way.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Economic Times
‘Chunks of our town could be gone': As wildfires rip across the prairies, Flin Flon, Manitoba, empties under a sky of smoke and fear
Reuters Smoke billows above a nearly deserted Flin Flon, Manitoba, as wildfires push closer to the northern mining city The city of Flin Flon in Manitoba, Canada, stands nearly deserted as an aggressive wildfire continues to threaten the region as of May 31, 2025. Approximately 5,000 residents, including municipal officials and healthcare workers, have been evacuated due to the encroaching flames and heavy smoke. Mayor George Fontaine expressed grave concern, stating, "Unless we get one heck of a boost, it's projected to take chunks out of our town and surrounding areas." The wildfire, which originated in Creighton, Saskatchewan, earlier this week, has rapidly spread into Manitoba, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of rainfall in the forecast and temperatures ranging from the low to high 20s Celsius. Heavy smoke has grounded aerial firefighting efforts, including water bombers, hindering containment strategies. Also Read: Out of control wildfire explodes across BC-Alberta border Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating crisis, facilitating broader coordination for evacuations and resource deployment. He emphasized the unprecedented scale of the evacuation, noting that over 17,000 residents have been displaced across the province. The Canadian Armed Forces have been mobilized to assist with evacuations, particularly in remote Indigenous communities like the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, where airlifts have been necessary due to impassable roads. Evacuees are being accommodated in emergency centers across Manitoba, with facilities as far south as Winkler, near the US border, opening their doors to those affected. The influx of displaced individuals has stretched local resources, prompting calls for additional support from neighboring provinces and the federal government. The United States has also contributed by dispatching 125 firefighters to aid in combating the blazes. Also Read: Manitoba wildfires force mass evacuations, Pimicikamak Cree Nation hardest-hit The broader region is grappling with multiple wildfires, with 23 active fires reported in Manitoba and 14 in Saskatchewan. In Alberta, the community of Swan Hills has seen 1,300 residents evacuated due to a separate wildfire threat. The cumulative effect of these fires has led to deteriorating air quality, with smoke drifting into parts of the United States, affecting cities like Minneapolis and Chicago. The collective efforts of emergency services, government agencies, and international partners remain focused on safeguarding communities and mitigating the impact of these devastating wildfires.
Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- Time of India
‘Chunks of our town could be gone': As wildfires rip across the prairies, Flin Flon, Manitoba, empties under a sky of smoke and fear
The city of Flin Flon in Manitoba , Canada, stands nearly deserted as an aggressive wildfire continues to threaten the region as of May 31, 2025. Approximately 5,000 residents, including municipal officials and healthcare workers, have been evacuated due to the encroaching flames and heavy smoke. Mayor George Fontaine expressed grave concern, stating, "Unless we get one heck of a boost, it's projected to take chunks out of our town and surrounding areas." The wildfire, which originated in Creighton, Saskatchewan, earlier this week, has rapidly spread into Manitoba, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of rainfall in the forecast and temperatures ranging from the low to high 20s Celsius. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Heavy smoke has grounded aerial firefighting efforts, including water bombers, hindering containment strategies. Also Read : Out of control wildfire explodes across BC-Alberta border Live Events State of emergency Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating crisis, facilitating broader coordination for evacuations and resource deployment. He emphasized the unprecedented scale of the evacuation, noting that over 17,000 residents have been displaced across the province. The Canadian Armed Forces have been mobilized to assist with evacuations, particularly in remote Indigenous communities like the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, where airlifts have been necessary due to impassable roads. Evacuees are being accommodated in emergency centers across Manitoba, with facilities as far south as Winkler, near the US border, opening their doors to those affected. The influx of displaced individuals has stretched local resources, prompting calls for additional support from neighboring provinces and the federal government. The United States has also contributed by dispatching 125 firefighters to aid in combating the blazes. Also Read: Manitoba wildfires force mass evacuations, Pimicikamak Cree Nation hardest-hit The broader region is grappling with multiple wildfires, with 23 active fires reported in Manitoba and 14 in Saskatchewan. In Alberta, the community of Swan Hills has seen 1,300 residents evacuated due to a separate wildfire threat. The cumulative effect of these fires has led to deteriorating air quality, with smoke drifting into parts of the United States, affecting cities like Minneapolis and Chicago. The collective efforts of emergency services, government agencies, and international partners remain focused on safeguarding communities and mitigating the impact of these devastating wildfires.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rain not forecasted as crews battle wildfire burning near Flin Flon, Manitoba.
FLIN FLON — There's no rain in the forecast for Flin Flon, Manitoba over the next week as crews there fight a wildfire that's raging nearby. Temperatures throughout the weekend are expecting to range from the low to high 20s, before cooling off. Thousands have evacuated the northwestern Manitoba city, including municipal government officials and health-care professionals. Flin Flon mayor George Fontaine said on Friday that unless things changed, the fire was projected to take chunks out of the town. As of now, wildfires in Manitoba have displaced more than 17,000 people. Thousands have also been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with 1,300 people in the community of Swan Hills northwest of Edmonton already forced from their homes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. The Canadian Press
