EDITOR’S NOTE: Click here for latest info
Multiple communities have been evacuated as two raging forest fires in eastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario continue to expand.
The first wildfire started Thursday evening northeast of Caddy Lake in Manitoba. It’s grown in size to 800 hectares and has spread into Ontario.
RAW: West Hawk Lake FD helicopter video of forest spark along Manitoba, Ontario border
Water bombers from Manitoba and Ontario have been working the fire since Thursday.
As of Sunday afternoon, Nora Lake, Florence Lake, McDougall’s Landing and the east shore cabins of West Hawk Lake, along with the community of Ingolf, Ontario have been evacuated as a precaution.
The province said the fires have forced the closure of access to McDougall’s Landing along with the area between PTH 33 and Ingolf, Ontario. Whiteshell Provincial Park roads remain open.
READ MORE: 100 people evacuated as firefighters battle forest fire along Manitoba, Ontario border
Ontario Provincial Police are assisting in the evacuation. Provincial fire crews are setting up sprinkler systems around cottages in high risk areas.
WATCH: Global’s Sean Leslie reporting from West Hawk Lake where evacuees are waiting out the Manitoba, Ontario blaze
Many evacuees have fled to West Hawk Lake.
The second fire lies east of Beresford Lake along the Manitoba, Ontario border and is advancing into Ontario. The wildfire has grown to approximately 13,000 hectares in size from 10,000 on Friday.
Cottages in Nopiming Provincial Park near Beresford Lake are under a mandatory evacuation notice as this fire is growing. Currently 25 people from 10 of the 75 cottages at Beresford have been evacuated. Six more people from two other remote cabins have also been evacuated.
Eight helicopters and nine waterbombers are actively fighting Manitoba’s 24 active fires according to the province’s website.
Comments