Fire evacuees allowed back in Leaf Rapids

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This article was published 05/07/2023 (828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Residents of Leaf Rapids have been allowed to return home after the wildfire that sent them packing to Thompson subsided.

Around 350 people left the northern town on June 26 after a 105-square kilometre fire came within eight kilometres and sparked a state of emergency.

The evacuation order was lifted at 12 p.m. Tuesday, the town’s Facebook group said.

Buses from Thompson to Leaf Rapids began to run at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

“Bus transportation for those who need it is in place and gas vouchers are available to those driving home. An extra round of cheques for meals is available to ensure evacuees are fed until they are settled back in. Information on how to address spoiling of food that was left behind is available,” a provincial spokesperson said in an email.

“Manitoba Families and Manitoba Health are working to ensure that services such as Employment Income Assistance and medical prescriptions are not interrupted as evacuees return home.”

Some residents complained they were left in the dark about wildfire updates from the province while they stayed in Thompson.

Leaf Rapids does not have a mayor or council and is currently under provincial administration, which aggravated the communication issue.

— Staff