Rain in forecast hopeful sign on wildfire front

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This article was published 18/05/2021 (1758 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As wildfires raged across parched land in southern Manitoba, fanned by wind gusts and heat, the forecast held the promise of relief.

“Let it pour,” said Amy Vereb, owner of Otter Falls resort in Whiteshell Provincial Park, where officials were forced to close Highway 307 from Seven Sisters falls to Eleanor Lake Tuesday because of haze and smoke.

Manitoba Wildlife Services crews worked on the ground and water bombers attacked the fire, north of Whitemouth, which is 3,800 hectares.

There is a 60 per cent chance of showers in the area Wednesday, and rain is expected from Thursday until Saturday. Southern Manitoba has had little precipitation in the past month. In Winnipeg, just 4.4 milimetres of rain has fallen since May 1.

Vereb said she hadn’t received much information about the forest fire burning across the Winnipeg River near her business. Tuesday morning, smoke was heavy, but the wind shifted by mid-afternoon and pushed the smoke away.

“It’s really, really dry out here. I’m not surprised… I’m just hoping (the fire) stays away.”

Travis Jensen, who owns a cabin on the Winnipeg River across the Seven Sisters Dam, said the sky was hazy and he watched water bombers fly in the area.

He went up to get some work done around the property before the rain arrives.

“Any kind of fire when you’re in a bush setting, far away from a fire department and hydrants, is a little more anxiety-inducing,” Jensen said. “My cottage is a log home. When it goes, it will go fast.”

“It’s very dry and the water is low, so we’re definitely in need of some moisture here,” Jensen said.

On Tuesday, 21 wildfires were burning, six of which were listed as out of control.

The ban on backcountry hiking and canoeing, south of the 53rd parallel, remained in effect and burn bans were in place in most municipalities. Air-quality warnings were issued for parts of southern Manitoba due to smoke.

Despite the promise of a reprieve, there was concern thunderstorms could materialize and spark new fires.

A spokesman for the province said the Manitoba Wildfire Service would not do media interviews Tuesday.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca