THOMPSON — Early this week, precipitation in the forecast is anticipated to aid firefighting crews battling wildfires threatening a northern Manitoba city. Over the weekend, smoke blanketed much of the Prairies, grounding some firefighting aircraft and resulting in the cancellation of several weekend events.
In an update shared on social media, the City of Thompson indicated that rain was expected for Monday, as the community continues to warn residents to be prepared for potential evacuations due to multiple fires in the area. The ongoing battle against the flames faced challenges over the weekend, particularly on Saturday, when heavy smoke hindered aerial crews from conducting suppression work using helicopters and water bombers. The smoke also obstructed the deployment of ground crews by helicopter.
While smoke conditions improved slightly on Sunday, firefighting crews planned to fly to the fire's eastern flank to begin containment efforts. The warm and dry weather experienced over the weekend exacerbated the situation, with the city noting that the region's fires exhibited increased activity compared to previous days.
Environment Canada issued air-quality warnings on Friday for parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which remained in effect throughout the weekend. The smoke also affected the Tataskweyak Cree Nation, preventing sonar imaging of land that had been scorched by a fire, as reported in an update from Chief Doreen Spence on Saturday. In Gimli, Manitoba, the final day of racing at the Sail West Regional Championships on Lake Winnipeg was cancelled on Sunday due to the presence of wildfire smoke. Sail Manitoba president Eric Turner stated that visibility was sufficient for sailing but deemed it unwise due to health risks.
As of Friday, there were 122 active wildfires burning across Manitoba, while Saskatchewan reported 51 active wildfires. Chief Doreen Spence acknowledged the frustration faced by evacuees from her community regarding hotel accommodations, as some hotels were reportedly reluctant to accept evacuees. This prompted the province to receive complaints and calls from evacuees and various First Nations organizations advocating for increased hotel availability, as elders and families were forced to stay in shelters or were transported to hotels in Ontario.
Spence shed light on the challenges families face in hotel settings, emphasizing the strict rules that must be followed, including maintaining room cleanliness and managing children's behavior. She noted the particular difficulties faced by families with children with autism, expressing efforts to secure additional apartment accommodations for those affected.
A spokesperson for the Manitoba government reported last week that as of Wednesday night, approximately 7,000 evacuees were housed in hotel rooms, alongside around 1,200 individuals in shelters. The ongoing wildfire crisis poses significant challenges for both the affected communities and firefighting efforts, underlining the ongoing need for effective management and support in response to these natural disasters.
