Over 5,000 Evacuated as Wildfires Devastate BC and Manitoba

More than 5,000 people in British Columbia and Manitoba have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires continue to threaten northern communities in both provinces on May 13.

Across Canada, roughly 90 fires are burning, with over 30 of them considered out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Two fires have prompted evacuation orders so far.

The wildfires near Fort Nelson, B.C., and Cranberry Portage, Man., have posed significant risks to these small communities, raising concerns about potential property damage.

The Parker Lake wildfire has expanded to over 50 square kilometers, approaching the community of around 5,400 residents. By 10 a.m. EST, the fire was just 1.5 kilometers away from the town.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bowinn Ma noted that 4,700 individuals have evacuated Fort Nelson and the Fort Nelson First Nation, although some have chosen to remain.

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At a press conference on May 13, Ms. Ma stressed the importance of following evacuation orders for safety reasons.

Mayor Rob Fraser mentioned that fewer than 100 households are still occupied in Fort Nelson, urging those remaining to evacuate immediately to ensure adequate public resources for firefighting efforts.

Ms. Ma also urged all residents to leave, noting an expected increase in wind speed in the upcoming hours and days.

Challenging conditions persist for firefighting crews due to dry weather and westerly winds, making suppression efforts difficult.

The evacuation order was issued on May 9 after a tree fell on a power line near the community, sparking the Parker Lake fire just nine kilometers away.

Evacuees are being housed in Fort St. John and Prince George, located several hundred kilometers away.

The severity of the wildfire, worsened by drought conditions and low winter snowpack, necessitated a relocation of crews for safety reasons.

While wildfire season typically starts in early April and ends in late October, having such a significant event early in the season is uncommon.

Manitoba

Extreme fire behavior caused by drought and high winds led to the evacuation of Cranberry Portage, a small northern Manitoba community.

The fire, initially spotted near Flin Flon by the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border last week, is believed to have been caused by lightning strikes. It has now spread to over 78,000 acres in size.

Lori Forbes, the regional municipal emergency coordinator, stated that only wildfire crews remain in Cranberry Portage, emphasizing the intensity and terror experienced during the evacuation.

Residents in The Pas reported the smell of fire throughout the community as a result of the wildfire’s proximity.

Although Flin Flon remains unthreatened by the fire, it has disrupted cell phone and internet services in the town.

Alberta

On May 13, the Alberta government expanded its evacuation alerts to include the Municipal District of Greenview among other towns on standby for immediate evacuation.

As firefighters battle strong winds spreading flames in northern Alberta, the Municipal District of Greenview is now part of potential evacuation areas, along with several other communities.

The wildfire, situated approximately 16 kilometers southwest of Fort McMurray, covers over 16,000 acres in size, as reported by a Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo alert.

Efforts to contain the fire involve six crews establishing containment lines, supported by 13 helicopters. Night vision-equipped helicopters worked overnight on May 13 to drop water on the fire.