Flin Flon, Lynn Lake evacuees set to return home as wildfire threat eases
CBC
Thousands of wildfire evacuees are set to return to their homes in northwestern Manitoba in the coming days, as Lynn Lake lifts its evacuation order and Flin Flon moves to rescind its own.
Flin Flon Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk announced on a video on social media Thursday afternoon the city expects to begin re-entry Wednesday at 9 a.m., allowing about 5,100 people who escaped what's currently the largest wildfire in the province just over three weeks ago.
The city said mayor and council will meet Monday to officially rescind the evacuation order, so long as there's no unexpected fire behaviour and there's no hitches to the re-entry plan.
"We've made our dates and our final decision on our re-entry plan based on the fire activity and behaviour as of late," Dallas-Funk said in the video, adding that the city expects to have all essential services staffed and fully functioning this weekend.
"We're really glad to give our community this information, but please [be advised] that not everything will be up and running 100 per cent and we need to be patient about that."
Dallas-Funk said the city will have limited health-care services and people who require X-rays or medical care such as dialysis should consider delaying their return.
She said grocery stores will also lack supplies. Some people will be allowed back into the community starting Friday to reopen "secondary support businesses" like hardware and clothing stores, restaurants as well as automotive and shipping services.
"Hydro is fully functioning. So is our cell communication," Dallas-Funk said. "We will have pharmacy here. We do have gas station."
The fire near Flin Flon was about 370,780 hectares as of the province's latest fire bulletin.
A fire about 10 kilometres from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park south of the city was approximately 7,200 hectares and was also out of control.
"Please be careful [Wednesday], the highways are going to be extremely busy. Also please bring some essentials with you if you can," Dallas-Funk said.
Earlier Thursday night, the town of Lynn Lake announced in another Facebook post it was lifting its own order.
The town said in a Facebook post that residents can return home as of Friday at 8 a.m.
Buses are being arranged for those who need assistance, and town officials will be in contact with those individuals, according to the Facebook post.
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