Fire Situation in Western Provinces Improves, With 600 Manitoba Evacuees Getting Green Light to Go Home

The Manitoba Wildfire Service says over 600 people in northwest Manitoba who evacuated approaching fire last week can return home starting Sunday morning thanks to firefighters’ efforts along with cooler weather and some rain. Residents of Cranberry Portage and other communities had to flee their homes on May 11 because of a rapidly advancing fire that came less than two kilometres from the community. “Fire WE010 near Flin Flon remains approximately 37,000 hectares,” said a May 17 news release from the Manitoba Wildfire Service. “The fire line closest to Cranberry Portage is under control. As a result, residents of Cranberry Portage, the cottage subdivisions of Sourdough Bay, Whitefish Lake, Twin Lakes and Schist Lake North have now been cleared to return to their homes as of 10 a.m., Sunday, May 19. Barricades will remain in place until that time.”...