A real gut punch: Manitoba wildfires impact busy season in Whiteshell – Winnipeg [Video]

A business owner in the North Whiteshell says she’s looking forward to getting back to work when it’s safe to do so.

Stefanie Giasson told 680 CJOB’s The Start she and her family bought White Lake Resort in 2014, and while some parts of the provincial park opened up Wednesday for residents to return, nearby fires continue to threaten some areas, making it unsafe — at least for now — for the resort to re-open.

The province ordered an evacuation of the entire park last week after a blaze on the Ontario side of the provincial border crossed into Manitoba.

Giasson said it was disheartening to have to cancel bookings over the May long weekend — the kick off to summer and cottage season, and typically a popular time at resorts like White Lake.

“We have 12 cabins at our resort, and they were fully booked for the long weekend, so those of course all had to …