Lynn Lake air quality warning remains as crews monitor area hotspots for wildfire threats
Northern Manitoba community on evacuation alert nearly 1 month after initially being forced out
Smoke continues to billow over a northern Manitoba community Thursday where crews are monitoring area hotspots from above, ready to jump into action at the sign of encroaching wildfires.
Lynn Lake remains under an air quality warning due to heavy smoke from nearby forest fires, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada on Thursday.
The town, about 800 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, is on evacuation alert despite declaring Wednesday there was "no imminent threat" of a repeat of late last month when residents were forced to leave due to fires.
Crews were expected to scan areas around the community from above early Thursday as they try to identify any hotspots that could pose threats should conditions change, states the latest updated posted to the Town of Lynn Lake Facebook page Wednesday night.
For now, the local forecast is favourable for the next two days, though that could change over the weekend as conditions could elevate wildfire risks.
Mandatory evacuation orders Were first issued May 26 and 27 for Sherridon and Lynn Lake, respectively. One day later, Manitoba issued a provincewide state of emergency, which the premier announced Monday has since been lifted.
Lynn Lake residents returned June 20, Sherridon on June 14.
On Wednesday, evacuees — roughly 4,800 of them — were allowed to return to Flin Flon, about 240 km south of Lynn Lake.
Find the latest wildfire information at these sources:
Are you an evacuee who needs assistance? Contact Manitoba 211 by calling 211 from anywhere in Manitoba or email 211mb@findhelp.ca.