Manitoba calls for travellers to free up hotel rooms as evacuee tally tops 21,000
CBC
Wildfires in Manitoba have now pushed about 21,000 people out of their homes, prompting provincial officials to ask travellers to stay away to free up hotel space.
"This is one of the largest evacuations in our province's history," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, who's also responsible for Manitoba's Emergency Management Organization.
Earlier, officials prepared for about 17,000 evacuees, but that number was surpassed last week.
"For that reason, we are urging Manitobans and Canadians to reconsider non-essential travel and event plans within Manitoba."
Naylor said the government recognizes the importance of tourism and the many workers whose livelihoods depend on that sector but putting off non-essential travel is one way to help ease the strain.
Emergency officials are working closely with businesses in the province's tourism sector to secure the added hotel rooms, she said. The request to put off such travel is strictly voluntary at this point, Naylor said.
"Manitobans want to help. People have been asking us all the time, 'How can we help?' So this goes beyond a donation to the Red Cross or dropping off some clothes. It says I can help by not taking up a hotel room right now."
The 21,000 figure is likely lower than the actual number of evacuees, as it includes only those who have registered with the Canadian Red Cross.
Not everyone has done so, so it's difficult to know exactly how many there are, officials have said.
The largest fire, near Flin Flon and Sherridon, is approximately 307,781 hectares and remains out of control.
To provide context, the city of Winnipeg is some 46,000 hectares in size — so the fire area is approximately seven times larger.
WATCH | Lisa Naylor, the Manitoba minister responsible for emergency services, says people can help by staying out of hotels:
The Nopiming fire, which stretches from Bird River to Bissett, is approximately five times the size of Winnipeg at 203,720 hectares.
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