Bissett ordered to evacuate because of wildfire

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This article was published 30/05/2025 (309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The community of Bissett has been ordered to evacuate because of an encroaching wildfire.

Bissett declared a state of emergency on Thursday night and ordered everyone out of the community by 8 a.m. Friday, the community said in a social-media post.

Residents in the community, located about 230 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, were asked to exit the region via provincial road 304 on the west side of the community and stop at the checkpoint to register.

A fire in Nopiming Park and near Bird River continues to grow, prompting Bissett’s evacuation. The fire is more than 124,000 hectares in size.

Hotel rooms were booked at the Morris Stampede Inn and the Viscount Gort Hotel for residents, the post said.

A fire truck and backup unit drove around the community at 6 a.m., sounding their sirens as a two-hour warning to evacuate.

In Flin Flon, the last bus carrying evacuees leaves at 11 a.m. Friday, a social-media post from deputy mayor Allison Dallas-Funk said. She said in a short phone call that the town is going door-to-door with RCMP officers to ensure no one is left behind before loading up the last bus.

Officers have gone door-knocking, visited apartments and checked senior complexes to ensure no one was missed.

Dallas-Funk asked anyone who is still in Flin Flon, or suspects someone is still there, to call 204-687-0838.