Crews tackle eight out-of-control wildfires in Manitoba

The Manitoba Wildfire Service was responding to eight out-of-control wildfires in northern and eastern parts of the province Monday afternoon.

The blazes were among 23 that were active with a full or modified response from firefighters, the Winnipeg-based Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre said in a summary on its website.

Two out-of-control fires, measuring 20 and 15 hectares, began Sunday in forested areas in eastern Manitoba.

The fires did not pose a risk to structures, the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet’s emergency management department said in a statement on social media.

Water bombers, helicopters, initial attack crews and heavy equipment were used to fight the two blazes.

The status of an 80-hectare fire on Fort Island in Norway House Cree Nation has changed from out of control to being held, the summary said. The blaze led to the temporary evacuation of some residents for a few hours Friday. The cause is under investigation.

In a statement on social media, the Norway House emergency management department said a new fire, sparked by lightning, was about 13 kilometres east of the community Sunday.

The fire was two hectares in size, the forest fire centre summary said. Water bombers and helicopters were called in to attack the blaze.

Located in northern Manitoba, Norway House advised residents to keep a 72-hour emergency kit packed, including medication, identification and essential supplies, in case the community is threatened by wildfire this season.

MB Ready, an Emergency Management Organization website, did not list any evacuations as of Monday afternoon.

Recent hot and dry conditions increased the risk of wildfire across Manitoba. The province’s fire danger was classified as high or very high, the Manitoba government said Friday.

Manitoba has recorded 47 wildfires so far this year, which is below average for this time of year, the forest fire centre’s summary stated.

More than 1,300 Saskatchewan residents remained out of their homes as two wildfires spread in northern areas of the province Monday.

Bryan Chartrand with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said the Cayford fire, northeast of Saskatoon near the Manitoba boundary, was burning vigorously.

— With files from The Canadian Press

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca