The Manitoba government announced Tuesday that more permanent residents, cottagers, and commercial operators can return to parts of Caddy Lake and West Hawk Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park. As of 8 a.m., Caddy Lake blocks 6, 7, 8, along with Island Block and Green Bay Resort, reopened, alongside McDougall’s Landing, Big Island Landing, and Indian Bay at West Hawk Lake.
Campgrounds at Brereton, Caddy, West Hawk, and White lakes will reopen for seasonal and nightly campers on June 6 at 4 p.m. However, an out-of-control wildfire spreading from Ingolf, Ontario, continues to affect the area, with over 36,000 hectares burned, including 5,000 hectares in Manitoba. Evacuation orders remain in effect for some park areas, and closures continue for Caddy Lake blocks 1, 2, 5, and the public boat launch at Block 4.
Other areas such as Big Whiteshell, Crowduck, Nora, and Florence lakes, along with the Caddy Lake tunnels, will stay closed, with Big Whiteshell Lake campgrounds closed until at least June 19. Meanwhile, Grass River and Wekusko Falls provincial parks in northwestern Manitoba face mandatory evacuation orders due to nearby large wildfires, including the 112,000-hectare Sherridon fire.
The Manitoba government confirmed all trails and water routes in provincial parks remain closed, with 27 active wildfires across the province as of Tuesday afternoon. Premier Wab Kinew praised the wildfire response efforts amid ongoing challenges and evacuations.
Swifteradio.com
