Manitoba declares state of emergency in Whiteshell Provincial Park due to extreme fire conditions

Michelle Gerwing has details on some of the most complex and volatile fires burning in Manitoba.

The Manitoba government is declaring a state of emergency in Whiteshell Provincial Park on Thursday amid extreme fire conditions in eastern Manitoba.

In a Thursday morning news conference, Premier Wab Kinew said the declaration will give people working in the area emergency powers to enforce an evacuation.

This news comes one day after two people were found dead in the RM of Lac du Bonnet, where an out-of-control wildfire is burning.

Whiteshell Provincial Park closed

In its latest fire bulletin, the province said access to the provincial park will be restricted as of 9 a.m. on Thursday. This includes all public and private developed areas, such as cottage subdivisions, commercial areas, campgrounds, group use and day use areas, trails, beaches, canoe routes and campsites.

The province adds that all park users, including full-time residents, commercial operators, and cottagers, must be out of the park by 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Full-time residents, not including cottagers or campers, are asked to register with Manitoba Parks staff beginning at 9 a.m. at either Whiteshell Community Club, Rennie Community Club or Eastman Snopals Garage. Those who can’t register in person can call 204-340-6769.

The government notes Whiteshell Provincial Park will remain closed until fire conditions improve, while its campgrounds will remain closed until at least Wednesday, May 21.

Staff with the Parks Reservation Service will be in touch with all affected reservation holders.

Whiteshell evacuation update

Ken Pickering, president of the Whiteshell Cottagers Association, said there are a few fires close to Whiteshell, putting the area at risk.

He noted the province is making the right decision in evacuating everyone from the park, adding that this may be one of the first May long weekends that Manitobans are praying for rain over sunshine.

“They’re trying to get everyone out of here to be proactive because these fires are very unpredictable and there’s a large amount of potential damage that can occur,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Thursday.

Those who are looking for further updates on the situation can go to the Whiteshell Cottagers Association website. https://whiteshellcottagers.com/

• With files from CTV’s Ainsley McPhail and Charles Lefebvre