Provincial investigators are examining the origins of the recent spring wildfire near Lynn Lake, Manitoba. According to court documents obtained by CBC News, Manitoba Conservation investigators claim that the fire, which grew to over 85,000 hectares, began at the Alamos Gold Inc. mining site after a burn pile reignited on May 7. The investigators allege that the company neglected to use water to extinguish the burn piles, which ultimately led to the wildfire.
By late May, the fire had advanced to within five kilometers of Lynn Lake, prompting the evacuation of nearly 600 residents and resulting in extensive property damage. Initial estimates suggest the fire caused around $10 million in damage, with Mayor Brandon Dulewich describing the cleanup efforts as extensive and challenging.
Residents of Lynn Lake were briefly allowed to return in June, only to face another evacuation in July due to a separate fire incident. As of the latest update, the community is awaiting the restoration of power by Manitoba Hydro to facilitate their return.
The investigation by Manitoba Conservation focused on whether Alamos Gold violated the Wildfires Act by failing to take adequate precautions to prevent the fire from escalating. The investigation involved a production order that required the company to provide access to relevant reports, drone data, and other evidence related to the incident.
The court documents reveal that despite having a permit for controlled burns, the company allegedly did not ensure that the fires were fully extinguished after burning ceased. The investigators found that the lack of proper water suppression equipment and failure to remove combustible material contributed to the fire reigniting and spreading uncontrollably.
Alamos Gold has refuted the allegations, stating that all controlled burns were conducted in compliance with approved permits and that necessary fire suppression equipment was available. The company maintains that they cooperated with Manitoba Conservation officials and provided support to the wildfire services following the incident.
The investigation highlighted the critical role of water suppression in preventing wildfires and emphasized the importance of proper fire management practices to mitigate such incidents in the future. The ongoing investigation aims to establish accountability and prevent similar occurrences in the region.