Another northern Manitoba community is under threat from wildfires. Flin Flon residents have been ordered to evacuate.
“Creighton is a kilometre away from us and that’s where the fire came from,” Flin Flon Mayor George Fontaine told 680 CJOB’s The Start.
“If the winds go the wrong way, that’s why they’re telling our residents to leave at a moment’s notice right now. It’s a serious situation.”
Fontaine said Flin Flon’s current population is around 5,000, and many of them experienced similar fears when wildfires approached in 2024, threatening nearby Cranberry Portage.
“It’s approaching our city from the north, so whether the winds are the right way or not this morning I guess is what we’re going to find out.
“I’m heading home so I can be in communication with all my people — I was out west, I was headed for a wedding in Edmonton, but I had to come back here…. This is pretty important stuff.”
Residents of Lynn Lake, Man., were forced to leave their homes Monday to avoid a nearby wildfire, which was only a half-dozen kilometres from the town earlier this week.
Flin Flon resident Anna Krassilowsky told 680 CJOB the view from the community is drastically different, even from what could be seen as recently as Tuesday, and visibility is becoming a real issue.
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“Right now it’s not too dark, because it’s daytime. It’ll definitely be a really dark night, I think… but the visibility compared to normal is definitely pretty bad. You can’t see too far into the distance.”
Krassilowsky said there’s an ‘apocalyptic’ feel, with the fire being frighteningly close by, so residents are prepared for the worst.
“If it does come into town, with how close it is already, we will want to get out quick,” she said.
“I think the most important thing is having everyone remain as calm as they can in a situation like this.”
The province says the wildfire situation around Manitoba remains volatile, and residents are being urged to stay out of the way of firefighting efforts.
Premier Wab Kinew said water bombers had to be grounded much of Tuesday due to the presence of drones — which had previously impacted firefighting efforts in the Lac du Bonnet area as well.
“Getting some views on YouTube is not worth it. You’ve got a community of thousands of people who are on the verge of evacuation,” Kinew said.
“Putting your drone up there and getting a video you can share is simply not worth it. You have to put the good of the community ahead of your own interests right now.”
Kinew said this fire season has been very challenging so far, as many regions across the province are dealing with dry conditions.
Wednesday morning’s provincial wildfire update said the northern fires — which also threaten communities including Lynn Lake, Sherridon and Mathias Colomb First Nation — are being prioritized.
A total of 18 wildfires still burn across the province, including in eastern Manitoba at Nopiming and Whiteshell provincial parks.
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