WHITESHELL, MB — Two wildfires burning near the Manitoba-Ontario border continue to grow as dry weather and high winds persist.
The wildfire at Caddy Lake is now at 5,100 hectares. It was approximately 2,800 hectares Monday, according to government of Manitoba media release.
“The east shore of Caddy Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park is closed until further notice and evacuation orders remain in effect,” read a statement in the release.
WATCH: Timelapse of wildfire near West Hawk Lake Monday night and Tuesday morning
Two USFS BAE-146 retardant air tankers joined in the battle Tuesday from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The aircraft’s targets were a power line that provides power to Kenora and the second a railroad and homes and cottages near Caddy Lake.
READ MORE: Manitoba wildfires: Water bombers douse flames, cottagers continue to flee
In the Whiteshell Provincial Park, the Hunt Lake, Mantario and McGillivray Falls hiking trails are closed until wildfire conditions improve.
The Beresford Lake fire increased to 56,000 hectares Tuesday. It was around 50,000 hectares Monday.
READ MORE: A look at wildfires in Manitoba and across the country
The government said the “mandatory evacuation” of the Beresford cottage area near Nopiming Provincial Park continues.
The Beresford and Wallace lake campgrounds are still closed.
On Monday afternoon, 61 cottages and a lodge were being cleared out at Wallace Lake because of the fire near Beresford Lake.
Manitoba firefighters continue fighting the wildfires, and water bombers and helicopters have been deployed. Approximately 100 officials are working to protect cabins and property in the areas.
Only minor damage to a small number of sheds has been reported at this time, according to the Manitoba government.
WATCH: Waterbombers douse blaze near West Hawk Lake Monday
Wildfire lights up the sky Monday evening
The hum of sprinkler generators trying to clear clouds of smoke started late Monday night and continued for hours Tuesday morning.
Residents from the Whiteshell drove down to the shore line near Caddy Lake Resort to watch the devastating scene unfold until about 2 a.m. Tuesday.
The dark sky lit up with white clouds as orange and yellow flames sparked. The fire diminished and then started again over lakeside cottages and forested area.
READ MORE: Manitoba wildfires: Water bombers douse flames, cottagers continue to flee
Water bombers blasted the Caddy Lake and West Hawk area from about 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.
Evacuees from Ingolf, Ontario and parts of Manitoba have been staying in motels and lodges in West Hawk since Thursday night. Many are running low on clothes and medication as they were not expecting to be gone for so long.
WATCH: Many people have to leave their homes as a raging forest fire grows along the Manitoba-Ontario border
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