Northern Manitoba community issues voluntary evacuation alert due to wildfires

Manitoba First Nations say they do not have adequate equipment to battle wildfires threatening their communities. Danton Unger reports.

A northern Manitoba town issued a voluntary evacuation alert as the community deals with the threat of wildfire.

On Tuesday morning, the Town of Snow Lake – located about 200 kilometres east of Flin Flon -- declared a state of local emergency and issued a 48-hour evacuation alert.

According to the notice, residents can choose to leave during this evacuation period and are allowed to take pull-behind equipment including trailers, boats and campers. However, if the town issues a 24-hour evacuation alert, pull-behind equipment will no longer be permitted.

Snow Lake residents are encouraged to monitor the town’s official communications for updates. There is no immediate threat to public safety, but residents should be prepared in case conditions change.