Fire forces Leaf Rapids to evacuate

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This article was published 27/06/2023 (1014 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LEAF Rapids has issued an evacuation order and declared a state of emergency while a forest fire burns a few kilometres from the northern Manitoba town.

Prompt action was necessary to prevent harm or damage to people and property, community administrator Twyla Ludwig wrote while declaring the emergency Monday afternoon.

Evacuees were being taken to Thompson while provincial crews battle the blaze.

Leaf Rapids, located about 1,000 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, has a population of about 350, the 2021 Census states.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service said the blaze was reported June 12 and caused by lightning.

The fire has grown to more than 25,000 acres and is burning out of control close to power lines along Provincial Road 493 and near the Ruttan Mine.

It was about eight km from the town, as of Monday.

Heavy smoke was reported across PR 391, just north of Leaf Rapids, the Manitoba 511 website states.

The wind direction was expected to change and blow eastward, which will have an impact on air quality, a post on Leaf Rapids’s Facebook page states.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special air-quality statement for the area. Smoke is causing or is expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Dry conditions have allowed fires to remain active near Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake and Pukatawagan, Environment Canada said.

It said the smoke plume will shift to the north Tuesday night because of southerly winds.

Showers were predicted for Leaf Rapids on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with a risk of thunderstorms.

A total of 42 fires were burning across the province as of June 25, the Manitoba Wildfire Service said.

The fire near Leaf Rapids and one northeast of Pukatawagan were burning out of control.

The blaze near Pukatawagan was also caused by lightning, the province said.