Overview:

• There are 157 (+12) active wildland fires with 20 (+2) Out of Control in the province. The province is at APL 5.
• MB remains under a Provincial State of Emergency due to rapidly spreading wildland fires and extreme fire conditions. Lightning starts are anticipated.
• An Air Quality Warning remains in effect for most of the province, notably the northern part where the PM2.5 concentration will be at the highest.

Evacuations:

• Due to ongoing evacuations for other FN, return flights remain paused for Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Wasagamack FN and Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
• Evacuation planning is underway for members of the Red Sucker Lake FN due to smoke conditions from wildland fire NO079.
  • CRC is supporting the evacuation by air to Winnipeg and has delivered air purifiers to the Nation. Flights are scheduled for 04 Aug.
• Evacuation planning continues for priority community members of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (OPCN) due to smoke conditions.
  • CRC is supporting the evacuation of the community and continues to coordinate delivery of essential supplies, water and fuel due to ongoing highway disruptions. Flights are scheduled for 04 Aug.
• Little Grand Rapids FN has begun the evacuation of P1s due to smoke concerns from nearby wildland fires.
  • CRC is coordinating the air transportation to Winnipeg. N95 masks have been provided to the community members sheltering in place.

Wildland Fires of Interest:

• Pukatawagan (Mathias Colomb Cree Nation) (WE025): As of 03 Aug, the wildland fire remains 62,075 (-) ha in size and classified as Out of Control. The fire is in the vicinity of Pukatawagan and the Laurie River Generating Site.
  • The Evacuation Order remains for Mathias Colomb Cree Nation due to damage to hydro infrastructures. Restoration planning and vegetation management continues.
  • The fire surrounded both hydro stations, but the established VP held. Some pole damage reported but line remains intact.
• Snow Lake (WE052 and WE053): As of 03 Aug, wildland fire WE052 is 49,770 (+16,118) ha in size and classified Out of Control. WE052 is located one (-) km from Snow Lake. Wildland fire WE053 remains 7,990 (-) ha in size and Out of Control. It is located 13 km from Snow Lake.
  • The Evacuation Order remains in place for Snow Lake.
  • MWS reported that the five new fires (WE089, WE090, WE091, WE092, and WE093) in the area are expected to merge with WE052. Crews continue reinforcing the fire’s north end, targeting key spots and holding the highway line.
• Cross Lake (NO005): As of 03 Aug, the wildland fire remains 149,560 (-) ha in size and is classified as Out of Control. NO005 is located near Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), Jenpeg Generating Station, and Whiskey Jack Landing.
  • MWS continues to target key areas in the northwest and prioritize the highway to keep it open.

• Leaf Rapids (NO026): As of 03 Aug, wildland fire NO026 and remains 73,539 (-) ha in size and is classified as Out of Control, located near Leaf Rapids.
  • The Evacuation Order remains in effect for Leaf Rapids.
• Kettle Generating Station/Gillam (NO057): As of 03 Aug, wildland fire NO057 remains 11,640 (-) ha in size and classified as Out of Control. Wildland fire NO057 is located 10 km from the Kettle Generating station and has not moved closer to the community or the hydro station. 
• Cormorant (WE085): As of 03 Aug, the wildland fire is 2,800 (+2,000) ha in size and classified as Out of Control. Wildland fire WE085 is located nine (-) km of Cormorant.
  • The Evacuation Order remains in place. The fire, burning in a northeast direction, has not moved closer to the community.
  • PR 287 remains intermittently closed in both directions.
• Nisichiwayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) (NO050 and NO062): As of 03 Aug, wildland fire NO050 remains 46,018 ha is size and being Monitored. Wildland fire NO062 is 6,985 in size and being Monitored.
  • A full phased evacuation by priority levels of Nisichiwayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) has begun on 03 Aug, which will be conducted for the approximately 6,000 community members. 765 P1s were previously evacuated.
  • Five buses transported approximately 250 evacuees to Winnipeg on 03 Aug and additional air transport were organized by CRC for 454 passengers.
  • ISC and CRC continue to work with the Nation to organize bus and air transportation through Thompson to Winnipeg. Flights are scheduled for 04 Aug.
  • Provincial Road (PR) 391, the road between Nelson House and Thompson, remains open only for emergency vehicles and evacuee traffic.
  • MWS reports that there is no immediate risk of losing PR access to the community and the fire is no immediate risk to the community.
  • Favourable winds are anticipated in the next few days and rain is forecast on 06 Aug, which should help with ongoing suppression efforts.