Hundreds of individuals, including railway workers, helicopter pilots, and heavy machinery operators, are actively battling 29 wildfires across Manitoba, 10 of which are out of control. These fires have forced 21,000 people from their homes and put 27 communities under mandatory evacuation. Frontline workers are facing dangerous conditions, including driving through 'raining fire,' to protect essential infrastructure like train bridges and contain the blazes, which are fueled by unusually dry conditions and strong winds.
Choppers, dozers and railway workers: on the front lines of the Manitoba wildfire fight
Columbia HelicoptersKeewatin Railway CompanyLajambe Enterprises Ltd.Aurora, OregonManitobaThe PasUnited StatesClifford NabessGary LajambeRob BrunkenFiresWildfiresEvacuationsEnvironment
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Hundreds of individuals, including railway workers, helicopter pilots, and heavy machinery operators, are actively battling 29 wildfires across Manitoba, 10 of which are out of control. These fires have forced 21,000 people from their homes and put 27 communities under mandatory evacuation. Frontline workers are facing dangerous conditions, including driving through 'raining fire,' to protect essential infrastructure like train bridges and contain the blazes, which are fueled by unusually dry conditions and strong winds.
Trending- 1 May 30: Columbia Helicopters arrived in The Pas.
- 2 May 31: Columbia Helicopters were ready for deployment.
- 3 Currently: 29 wildfires are burning in Manitoba, 10 of which are out of control; 21,000 people have been evacuated; railway workers, helicopter pilots, and dozer operators are on the front lines.
- 29 ongoing wildfires (10 out of control)
- 21,000 people evacuated
- 27 communities under mandatory evacuation
- Destruction of vast forest areas (over 300,000 hectares for Sherridon wildfire)
- Dangerous working conditions for frontline responders
- Potential for more wildfires due to dry conditions
What: Hundreds of frontline workers (railway workers, helicopter pilots, heavy machinery operators) are battling 29 wildfires in Manitoba, 10 of which are out of control, leading to 21,000 evacuations and threatening communities and infrastructure.
When: Currently ongoing (wildfire fight), for days (railway workers), May 30 (Columbia Helicopters arrived), following day (ready for deployment).
Where: Manitoba (provincewide), east, west, and north Manitoba, Pukatawagan (Mathias Colomb Cree Nation), Sherridon, The Pas, Winnipeg, Aurora (Oregon, USA).
Why: To contain the widespread wildfires, protect communities and essential infrastructure (like train bridges), and assist with evacuations. The fires are fueled by unusually dry conditions and strong winds.
How: Railway workers refuel water trucks to protect train bridges. Helicopter pilots provide air support with 1,200-gallon water buckets, coaching flames towards ground crews. Heavy machinery operators use bulldozers to create fire guards by tearing up earth and breaking treelines.