Wildfire advisory issued for two communities in central Manitoba

Multiple water bombers were used to combat a wildfire near the central Manitoba communities of Chemawawin Cree Nation and Easterville on Tuesday.

The Manitoba Emergency Management Organization issued a wildfire advisory at 2:45 p.m., encouraging residents of both communities to remain informed about the situation.

The advisory said the fire did not pose a threat to lives or homes as of Tuesday afternoon. The blaze was burning south of Chemawawin and Easterville, about 450 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

An interactive map on the Manitoba Wildfire Service’s website said the fire was out of control and measured 55 hectares as of Monday, when it was detected. The website did not yet display a status update for Tuesday.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Chemawawin resident Sara Keno said multiple planes dumped water on the fire Tuesday. At least one helicopter and ground crews were also involved in the response.

“There is a lot of smoke,” Keno said.

Manitoba has recorded at least 17 wildfires so far this season. All but four were extinguished as of Monday, according to the provincial wildfire service’s latest report. Three of the four active fires were under control.

MB Ready, the province’s website for emergencies and incidents, including wildfires, did not report any evacuations.

Last year’s wildfire season was one of the most severe in Manitoba’s history. The provincial government said 445 wildfires were detected and almost 2.4 million hectares burned — the largest area affected by wildfire in Manitoba in the past 30 years.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca