Manitoba wildfires: Some evacuees may return home by weekend

Some Manitobans who were forced to evacuate their homes due to the northern Manitoba wildfires will be able to return home this weekend.

According to the province's latest wildfire warning, the fire burning near Cranberry Portage is under control, meaning people living in the community can return to their homes in Sourdough Bay, Whitefish Lake, Twin Lakes and Schist Lake North cottage subdivisions. starting from sunday.

“Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 10 and the Sherridon Access Road will also be reopened to traffic and residents will be allowed to return home at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 19,” the province said. “A small amount of property was damaged during the fire, but affected residents will be notified before the area reopens.”

The fire burning near Flin Flon is 37,000 hectares as of Friday. The province says it has significant resources fighting the fire. Six water bombers and seven helicopters are working to fight the fire, along with 200 provincial personnel, 40 firefighters from Ontario and five from Parks Canada.

More help comes on weekends. According to the province, 20 firefighters from New Brunswick will arrive on Friday and 21 from Quebec will arrive over the weekend.