On July 21, 2024, at approximately 1:30 pm, Flin Flon RCMP received a report from an individual on a passing jet ski who noticed a significant amount of smoke and was concerned about a wildfire near Camp Whitney outside Flin Flon, Manitoba.
RCMP officers attended immediately by boat and found the main kitchen at Camp Whitney was fully engulfed in flames. Several structures close by were also reached by the fire. Initially, it was undetermined if everyone got out of the structure. RCMP officers, with the assistance of local Conservation Officers, were able to make contact with provincial fire crews who sent a water bomber to the scene and began dumping foam on the fire. Officers were able to clear the camp and determine that nobody was present.
The Flin Flon Fire Department attended with water pumps to extinguish the fire. The fire was contained to the site. The Manitoba Wildfire Service will continue to monitor the area to ensure that the fire does not reignite.
Investigation determined that the site had been rented, but the group had left the camp and then it had been closed up by a caretaker after the group left at approximately 11:30 am that morning.
The RCMP investigation has not found anything suspicious at this time. The Office of the Fire Commissioner continues its investigation into the cause of the fire.