Premier Wab Kinew says a provincewide state of emergency has been renewed in Manitoba, as wildfires continue to rage, forcing thousands from their homes.
Kinew said Thursday that the call — the second state of emergency since late May — is important so the province can rally resources in what has been a harsh year for Manitobans when it comes to wildfires.
Many residents of one affected Manitoba community will make the long drive — almost seven hours — to Winnipeg Thursday as they flee nearby wildfires.
Snow Lake is under a mandatory evacuation order for the second time this year.
Mayor Ron Scott told Global Winnipeg there are two nearby wildfires, and recent weather hasn’t been making things any easier.
The latest analysis by the Manitoba Wildfire Service, Scott said, shows that gusty winds are expected to push the flames eight kilometres closer to Snow Lake on Thursday.
“(The fire) to the west has been developing for some time, we’ve had very hot and dry conditions, and high winds, particularly yesterday, which were driving the fire to the north,” he said, “and the winds are now changing.”
Although evacuating for the second time is frustrating for the members of his community, Scott said the fact that they’ve been through it all before means there’s been some valuable experience gained.
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“Unfortunately, we had to evacuate a month ago, but crews that stayed behind managed to get an awful lot of prep work done, so we’re in better shape now to deal with whatever nature throws at us in the coming days,” he said.
Evacuees are being urged to stay with friends and family or go to the Leila Soccer Complex in Winnipeg.
“Hopefully, we’ll dodge this one as well and everyone can go back home and get on with their lives,” the mayor said.
Garden Hill First Nation — a fly-in community of more than 3,000 — is also under wildfire threat, and armed forces support have been approved by Ottawa as evacuations are underway.
These moves follow the evacuation of Lynn Lake, a community of 600 residents who have already been ordered to flee for the second time this season.
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Crews making progress on wildfire near Thompson -
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Approaching wildfires lead to evacuation order for Leaf Rapids, Man. -
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Manitoba wildfires: Decision to evacuate Leaf Rapids based on ‘forecasted’ wind conditions, precipitation, officials say -
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Wildfire prompts second evacuation of Lynn Lake in northern Manitoba
With files from The Canadian Press
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