LEAF RAPIDS — A town in northern Manitoba has issued a mandatory evacuation order due to encroaching wildfires. Leaf Rapids says nearby fires present imminent danger to residents and property in the town, 900 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
LEAF RAPIDS — A town in northern Manitoba has issued a mandatory evacuation order due to encroaching wildfires.
Leaf Rapids says nearby fires present imminent danger to residents and property in the town, 900 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
It says in a social media post that residents have until 10 a.m. Tuesday to leave the community.
“We appreciate going through an evacuation is never easy, and thank you for your co-operation and understanding,” the town said in a Facebook post on Monday.
It said people should take their identification, medications, infant food, clothing and personal hygiene items and travel to an evacuation centre in Winnipeg.
The province is working to secure hotel rooms for all residents as soon as possible, but some may need to use a congregate shelter for a short period of time until rooms become available, the post said.
Rooms will first be provided to individuals with medical conditions or families travelling together.
There are about 350 people living in the community.
The province’s last fire situation report on Friday said an out-of-control fire was 26 kilometres away from Leaf Rapids and was 20 square kilometres in size.
Elsewhere in the north, the city of Thompson is keeping an eye on a fire that it says has grown to 60 square kilometres.
The city of about 13,000 has not issued an evacuation order but in a social media post it has advised residents to be prepared.
This story by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025.
The Canadian Press