Flin Flon residents to return Wednesday following wildfire evacuation

Flin Flon and other Manitoba communities are working to lift evacuation orders as wildfire conditions improve.

After nearly one month away due to wildfires threatening the community, Flin Flon residents are getting the all-clear to return home.

In Tuesday’s wildfire bulletin, the province said roughly 4,800 people who evacuated the city can return home Wednesday at 9 a.m. when the mandatory evacuation notice is lifted.

Residents left the community on May 28 due to the wildfire.

The fire near the city is approximately 370,780 hectares in size and is still considered out of control.

A post on the City of Flin Flon’s Facebook page said everyone is welcome to return to the community.

“Your family can travel with you to help you unpack, settle in and make sure you’re okay, whether they are Flin Flon residents or not,” the post reads.

The city asks people returning to respect their neighbours and businesses settling back in the community, the emergency workers still fighting fires, and people in the area who may have lost homes.

A welcome centre for returnees will open at the Whitney Forum from Wednesday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Canadian Red Cross will also be on hand to answer questions, plus disaster and recovery assistance from the Manitoba Emergency Association.

According to the fire bulletin, 18 wildfires are currently active in the province.