LEAF RAPIDS, Manitoba – Wildfire damage has struck the northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids, with one occupied home and as many as seven vacant structures damaged after flames jumped the Churchill River Wednesday night. Officials provided updates Thursday afternoon on the Leaf Rapids situation and other blazes across the province.
The northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids experienced wildfire damage after flames crossed the Churchill River.
- Wildfire damage occurred in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, affecting one occupied and up to seven vacant homes.
- The fire jumped the Churchill River, forcing crews to temporarily retreat.
- Manitoba is battling 120 active wildfires, with 333 recorded this year, significantly above the average.
- Tataskweyak Cree Nation residents can begin planning their return home this weekend.
Earlier Thursday, the Town of Leaf Rapids reported via its Facebook page that a house on Utik Crescent was the only occupied structure believed to have burned. The resident, part of the town’s 350 evacuated citizens since early July, is safe.
Blair McTavish, assistant deputy minister for Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, confirmed that the additional five to seven structures affected were vacant homes. Several vehicles and hydro poles also sustained damage, though power remains operational.
Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister for the Manitoba Wildfire Service, stated that 120 active wildfires are currently burning across Manitoba. As of Monday, there had been 333 wildfires this year, a notable increase compared to the average of 252 for this date.
The province currently has 20 states of local emergency in effect, with further evacuations occurring over the past 24 hours. Leaf Rapids, situated about 150 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 740 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg, is surrounded by three fires.
The fire that crossed the river and impacted the occupied home compelled fire crews to briefly withdraw to a safe zone before resuming their efforts. Crews had been working in the community for weeks, implementing preventative measures like creating fireguards, setting up sprinklers on structures, and conducting other preparatory work.
“They were definitely planning for something to happen in the community,” Hayward said, describing the fire’s behavior on Wednesday as “very, very intense.” She added that crews reported the fire “essentially creating its own weather, and there was all this additional wind and heat, and the movement of the fire was just really, really rapid.”
Hayward noted that fire behavior began to change significantly in the late afternoon, with winds gusting stronger than anticipated. “It escalated so quickly, within an hour or two, there was just nothing that really could be done to reduce that fire activity,” she stated. Heavy smoke also hampered aerial firefighting efforts.
As ashes and burning embers began falling into the community, crews made the decision to retreat to their base for safety. A prior Facebook post from the town administration incorrectly stated firefighters had left the town. A provincial spokesperson later clarified that while some emergency personnel had to move, fire crews remained in the area and resumed suppression activities after a brief period in a safe zone.
“It was obviously a chaotic situation. I understand it was quite frantic at the time people were leaving the community,” Hayward said. She speculated that the rapid nature of the events may have led to miscommunication about the crew’s status.
McTavish stated that the province will collaborate with town administration to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination. While strong winds were expected to continue posing challenges on Thursday, Hayward expressed hope for incoming precipitation forecast to begin Friday.
Tataskweyak Residents Prepare to Return
Meanwhile, a fire near Snow Lake is advancing towards the community, driven by northwest winds. Crews are prepared to defend the area if the fire continues its trajectory.
Favorable weather conditions are aiding crews in gaining the upper hand on fires at Garden Hill and Mystery Lake near Thompson. “They’ve been able to make some really good progress, and all of our containment lines are holding at this time,” Hayward reported.
The situation at Tataskweyak Cree Nation, also known as Split Lake, has improved significantly, allowing residents to plan their return. Nearly 200 people have been displaced since early July.
McTavish indicated that while hot spots are still being addressed, it is now safe enough for the first wave of returning residents to be home this weekend.
