Residents of Cranberry Portage return home after evacuation due to massive wildfire

As wildfires continue to spread across the country forcing thousands to evacuate, there is some good news in Manitoba. Residents forced to evacuate from a northern part of the province are set to head home, as fire crews continue to fight a nearby blaze.

The fear and uncertainty more than 500 people faced after being evacuated from Cranberry Portage, has come to an end, as the province announced on Friday that some evacuees would be able to head home.

This is despite approximately 37,000 hectares still burning in the area, as the fireline closest to Cranberry Portage is under control.

The news comes a day after the province announced emergency financial support would be made available for residents who were evacuated.

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While many residents are already home, Blair and Melissa Lundie who own MnB’s Gas Bar never left, staying behind to help the people who were trying to save the community from going up in flames.

“They all needed gas to run their pumps and save homes, we were the only gas station around for 45 minutes,” said Blair Lundie and Melissa Lundie.

Many community members have voiced their appreciation for Blair and Melissa, even going as far as to call them community heroes, which they say is a great feeling.

“They brought us flowers and cards, yes there were lots of happy hugs here yesterday and today, it was a very emotional day.”

Meanwhile, firefighters in B.C. and Alberta also continue to tackle massive wildfires. Elijah Stevens with Yukon First Nations Wildfire says this fire season will be tough.

“Our winter was not what it has been in the past and the ground isn’t able to sustain the moisture that comes with that. We’re seeing a lot of things happening at the beginning and it is definitely becoming a lot more intense,” said Elijah Stevens, the initial attack wildland firefighter with Yukon First Nations Wildfire.

Stevens says as the fire season gets longer, the need for more firefighters is greater than ever.

“We need to really get our name out there and get this out there in terms of media coverage just to show people this can be a career and to get more people interested in the industry.”