Firefighting efforts are in full force trying to get a handle on the flames on two wildfires burning on the Manitoba-Ontario border.
Water bombers are attempting to reduce the spread of the flames. The fires have forced nearly 100 people to leave their homes.
On Monday afternoon, 61 cottages and a lodge were being cleared out at Wallace Lake because of the fire near Beresford Lake. That blaze is about 50,000 hectares, and most of it is in Ontario. Officials are closely monitoring conditions at Long Lake.
WATCH: Global’s Shannon Cuciz speaks with those whose homes are at risk
READ MORE: Wildfires on Manitoba-Ontario border grow, province issues evacuation orders
Further south, the second fire, which covers about 2,800 hectares, sparked the evacuation of the east shore of Caddy Lake Monday morning.
PHOTO: Comparing size of wildfire from Friday to Monday using photos from province
Officials from Manitoba Conservation started going door-to-door at 8 a.m. asking residents to leave their cottages.
Fire officials going door-to-door at cottages to support the evacuation, safety of area residents #Manitoba #mbfire
— Manitoba Government (@MBGovNews) May 9, 2016
Seven residences have been evacuated in the West Hawk Lake area and three homes in the Caddy Lake area, according to a Manitoba government media release.
Fire officials are placing sprinkler systems at cabins in the area.
Get daily National news
Timelapse: Smoke billows into the sky from forest fire along Manitoba-Ontario border
The Manitoba government said trails in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Hunk Lake, Mantario, McGillvray Falls are closed until conditions improve.
On the Manitoba Conservation website it says the fire was “human caused.”
“Approximately 100 officials are working to protect cabins and property throughout the area,” said the Manitoba government in the media release.
” Thirty Manitoba firefighters are assigned to the fire at Beresford Lake, and nine water bombers and four helicopters have been deployed to fight fires in the area.”
Evacuees waiting to return home
Meanwhile, residents who were forced out of their homes in the West Hawk Lake area last week are awaiting updates on when they cane go home.
Many residents affected by forest fires, in the from the Manitoba area and Ingolf, Ontario, were evacuated Thursday night with a few valuables expected to be gone for about a day, but said they could be here for the week.
“We had two and a half hours notice to get out,” evacuee Lynne McNicholl said. “The first thing you take is medication.”
There is smoke still visible in some areas of Caddy Lake but so far there are no reports of damage to cottages or structures.
READ MORE: Wildfires on Manitoba-Ontario border grow, province issues evacuation orders
“I’ve been at Ingolf for 79 years… we’ve never been evacuated before and I hope it never happens to anyone else again.”
There are also warning signs along Whiteshell roads reminding drivers that open fires are prohibited and fire danger is extreme today.
See the province’s latest fire bulletin here.
WATCH: West Hawk Lake FD helicopter video of forest spark along Manitoba, Ontario border
- ‘Alarming trend’ of more international students claiming asylum: minister
- Canadian government’s satellite deal has Tories calling for Elon Musk involvement
- Justin Trudeau headed to UN Summit of the Future amid international instability
- Activists call for Boogie the monkey to be removed from Ontario roadside zoo
Comments