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WINNIPEG Wildfires in the northern Interlake have forced hundreds of people from their homes. The biggest fire is burning over a massive area north of Lake Manitoba stretching approximately 80 kilometres from Homebrook, north to Devil’s Lake. The now 200,000 hectare wildfire is impacting several nearby communities. But as crews continue to battle the flames, residents in five nearby First Nations have been forced to flee due to deteriorating conditions. “It was getting more smoky,” said Mary Jane Beardy, an evacuee from Lake St. Martin First Nation. “It was getting to our throat.” Heavy smoke from the Homebrook fire and others in the area, has led to evacuations in the Lake St. Martin, Little Saskatchewan, Pinaymootang, Skownan and Dauphin River First Nations. At least 750 people have had to leave to their homes.
Photo credit: Tayler Huska
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Area residents may smell smoke in the air today as a wildland fire continues to burn out of control in the Sandilands, located about 100 km southeast of Winnipeg.
But, Don Hallett with Manitoba Wildfire Service says crews are making good progress and the lack of wind today is helping the cause.
According to Hallett, crews are doing a good job of holding back the fire from spreading any further. He notes they continue to work with heavy equipment to try and surround the fire. With the help of water bombers they are attempting to keep the fire from spreading across the lines.