Uncertainty follows Manitoba’s outfitters as wildfires continue to roar

Despite being midway through its usual busiest month, Wallace Lake Lodge sits empty.

The fishing and hunting hub is north of Nopiming Provincial Park in eastern Manitoba. Staff had prepared for a bustling June but were forced to leave before any guests could arrive.

Across the province, upwards of 100 tourism operators have been affected by wildfires, per Travel Manitoba tracking. Losses haven’t been fully accounted for as blazes persist.

Wildfires have impacted at least 40 lodges and outfitters. Earlier messaging from the provincial government — encouraging people to limit non-essential travel — has hurt already struggling lodges, the Manitoba Lodges & Outfitters Association asserted.

Meantime, businesses in urban centres housing evacuees are also, in some cases, watching sales plunge. Private-sector advocates like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business are calling for more financial support.

“(It’s) just uncertainty,” said Joe Hnatishin, co-owner of Wallace Lake Lodge.

He fled the property on May 13, following evacuation orders. The first guests had been set to arrive May 16.

For now, the buildings remain untouched by fire; flames spread roughly 2.4 kilometres away in late May.

Matthew Wiens stayed at Viking Lodge, in Cranberry Portage, through evacuation orders. The lodge co-owner remained to assist RCMP and other government staff needing rooms.

Viking Lodge lost roughly three weeks of business, affecting some 300 customers. Cranberry Portage’s evacuation order lifted last weekend; now, Wiens and his business partners (also family members) are focused on assuring clients the site is safe.

“We had to talk to them and say, ‘You know what, we’re not at risk right now,’ even though there’s a lot of talk with media and stuff, and (the) Manitoba government is urging people not to travel if it’s non-essential,” Wiens said.

The June 9 message had a “huge effect” on lodges and outfitters, said Don Lamont, executive director of the MLOA.

“We had to call the government and ask them if they could consider changing their message a little bit,” Lamont said. “Most of the lodges were still open for business.”

Several have been evacuated, and two burned, Lamont relayed.

Many others have faced cancellations as patrons fret over evacuations, hotel accommodations and air quality. Fly-in businesses in western Manitoba are lacking air service; Wings Over Kississing, an air charter firm with headquarters in Steinbach, hasn’t been able to service its aircraft in Flin Flon, Lamont said.

Often, lodges and outfitters rely on insurance to cover cancellations. Wiens is debating whether to file a claim for Viking Lodge: “(Are we) going to benefit … (or are we) going to end up paying it back anyway over the next several years?”

Manitoba announced a tax deferral for wildfire-affected businesses last week.

The measure is beneficial, Lamont said, adding financial support is important.

“Those tax deferrals are a great start, but ultimately that money is going to be due,” said Brianna Solberg, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business director of legislative affairs for the Prairies and northern Canada.

She’s calling for targeted grants or other financial relief. Wildfire effects extend beyond businesses in evacuation zones, Solberg noted.

Hotels have postponed or cancelled events while accepting evacuees. IceTime Sports, a sportswear retailer located in the Seven Oaks Sportsplex in Winnipeg, estimates its lost thousands of dollars in sales due to cancelled tournaments.

The facility has been reserved as a potential wildfire evacuee temporary living space.

“It actually feels a little bit like the (COVID-19) pandemic,” said Mike Wynne, co-owner of IceTime Sports.

He’s trekking to work, near a soccer complex housing evacuees, to fulfil online orders. Family members of his were evacuated from Bissett, on the edge of Rice Lake.

“I know people are having a rough go and need a place to stay,” Wynne said. “But … business wise, it’s been tough.”

Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy said the province’s recent tax deferral announcement covers all Manitoba businesses affected by wildfires, including cases like IceTime Sports. She didn’t provide a deadline for when tax deferrals will end.

“We’re going to make sure it’s … when they’re able to really reasonably file (provincial taxes),” she said.

Kennedy didn’t share new programs for affected businesses.

“We’re still beginning of the wildfire season,” she said. “We’re just going to continue to manage things as they continue to happen.”

Government is working with tourism stakeholders, though first priority is the safe evacuation and eventual return of affected Manitobans, Kennedy said.

Travel Manitoba and the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association are meeting weekly to discuss wildfire impacts, Lamont said.

Travel Manitoba has clocked wildfire-induced trip cancellations within Winnipeg and prospective visitors’ desire to save hotel rooms for evacuees, said Angela Cassie, the Crown corporation’s chief operating officer.

“We’re still in very early days,” she said, noting Travel Manitoba is gathering information from local businesses.

It’s shifted its marketing to day trips and will start planning a “recovery campaign.” The emergency period comes as tourism firms grapple with tariffs and tightened consumer spending, Cassie noted.

Hotels across the province face different experiences during the state of emergency, said Michael Juce, president of the Manitoba Hotel Association. Those accepting evacuees sign contracts with the Canadian Red Cross.

He couldn’t say how many of the roughly 15,000 Manitoba hotel rooms were open Wednesday. Winnipeg covers about 7,600 spaces.

“I think you need to look at outright grants or waivers on taxes … in those evacuated areas,” Juce said, highlighting Flin Flon hotels.

Lamont has joined a new committee struck by the provincial government that’s tasked with preparing for future fires, he said. Already, the group has discussed removing combustibles from lodges and ensuring sites have sprinkler systems.

Viking Lodge will likely upgrade its sprinkler systems, Wiens said, adding the provincial fire response in Cranberry Portage was lacking. He, however, commended the local fire department.

Viking Lodge was also evacuated last spring.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com