Lynn Lake residents begin returning home after 24-day evacuation due to wildfire; health services resume as officials monitor fire risk.
Evacuees Begin Return to Lynn Lake After 24 Days
Residents of Lynn Lake, Manitoba, are finally heading home after more than three weeks of evacuation due to an encroaching wildfire. The northern town announced Thursday night that repopulation efforts would begin at 8 a.m. Friday, following improvements in fire conditions.
Travel Plans and Warnings in Place
To facilitate the return, buses are being arranged for evacuees who require assistance. Town officials are reaching out to coordinate travel for those individuals. However, authorities caution that the situation remains fluid, urging residents to remain packed and ready to evacuate again at short notice if fire conditions worsen.
Mayor Expresses Relief and Frustration
Mayor Brandon Dulewich described the return announcement as an “overwhelming feeling of joy” for the roughly 600 displaced residents. Many have spent the past 24 days sleeping on cots in a temporary shelter in Thompson, located over 200 km southeast of Lynn Lake.
“They’ve been out of the community for 24 days now, but we’ve been trying to bring you home forever,” said Dulewich, who voiced strong frustration over what he called an inequitable emergency response compared to other evacuated areas.
Healthcare Services Restart Slowly
The delay in lifting the evacuation order was largely due to the time required to restore essential services. Lynn Lake’s emergency department reopened Thursday, enabling the town to finally begin welcoming residents back. Still, critical infrastructure remains under repair, with a boil-water advisory currently in effect and power restoration efforts underway.
Wildfire Still Active, but South Front Improving
According to Manitoba’s wildfire bulletin issued Thursday, the fire near Lynn Lake continues to burn out of control and has grown beyond 71,000 hectares. While the northern half remains active, officials note that conditions on the southern front — closer to town — are improving.
However, smoke, falling ash, and lingering hot spots near the community continue to pose a risk, especially during hot or windy weather.
Calls for Equitable Emergency Response
Mayor Dulewich praised the people of Thompson for their support but criticized the overall emergency response, pointing out that evacuees from other communities were provided hotel accommodations in Winnipeg while Lynn Lake residents endured weeks in a shelter.
“I’ve gone blue in the face yelling at different agencies, trying to get basic humane living conditions for the citizens of Lynn Lake,” he said.
Ongoing Monitoring and Caution Ahead
Authorities remain on high alert as wildfire conditions are unpredictable. Residents are urged to stay informed through local updates and be prepared for potential re-evacuation. Despite the hardships, the return marks a hopeful milestone in a difficult chapter for the remote community.
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