Several cottages have been razed by wildfire near Beaver Creek Provincial Park, north of Hecla Island.
The province says six cottages were destroyed after wildfire forced people from their homes Monday.
The province told Global News Monday night the wildfire was threatening up to 25 cottages, and a provincial spokesperson said evacuations were completed for both seasonal and permanent residents in the community, about 174 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
The fire led to power outages near the area affecting some 370 customers, according to Hydro, and Provincial Road 234 was closed due to smoke.
Fight continued Tuesday
On Tuesday a Global News reporter said smoke could still be rising from ashes in the community, about 174 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
Crews spent the day working to put out hot spots and setting up sprinklers to help protect properties still at risk, officials said.
The Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner said while crews had things under control, the fire was far from out, and water bombers could be seen picking up loads of river water to dump on hot spots.
“Twenty-four hours ago it had jumped the road into the subdivision and we had several fire departments out,” said Jeff Irwin from the office of the fire commissioner.
“We had several fire departments out … helping us protect the structures that were still standing and weren’t on fire — the ones that were on fire were too forgone to save.
He said fire departments from Gimli, Arborg, and Riverton were among those that helped in the fight.
As for how it all began, officials say that’s still under investigation and there was no word yet on when residents would be allowed to return to see the destruction for themselves.
–With files from Joe Scarpelli and Kevin Hirschfield
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