Second Lynn Lake wildfire evacuation could come as early as tomorrow

Lynn Lake could be evacuated for a second time this wildfire season if the northwestern Manitoba town’s power supply is cut off.

The Town of Lynn Lake said Thursday that a mandatory evacuation order could be declared Friday if the anticipated power outage occurs.

“Wildfire activity may impact the main Manitoba Hydro transmission lines supplying power to Lynn Lake as early as tomorrow,” the town wrote in a social media post Thursday afternoon.

“If this occurs, the community could experience a power outage anticipated to last at least one month while infrastructure is repaired.”

Without power, the town cannot maintain essential services such as water treatment, food refrigeration, communication and emergency supports, the post said.

If the order is issued, evacuees will be offered hotel rooms in Winnipeg, about 800 kilometres away, the town said.

Residents who can leave on their own should do so as soon as possible to avoid being cut off, because two fires that are burning in the area could cross Provincial Road 391 on Thursday, the town said.