Firefighters in central Manitoba are busy battling blazes that have forced more than 2,000 people from their homes.
“I packed my bag, I jumped in my truck and took all of my nieces and my nephews with me,” Melissa Houle told CTV Winnipeg.
Driving through the night from Easterville, 460 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, Houle arrived in the city to take up residence in a hotel.
“It was just a blur.”
The isolated communities of Easterville and neighbouring Chemawawin Cree Nation both received evacuation orders on Thursday. Most evacuees are heading to Winnipeg where they are receiving food and shelter from the Canadian Red Cross. The Red Cross and the Manitoba government are also helping evacuate people who do not have access to vehicles.
According to recent reports, the fire has grown from 350 to 400 hectares between Thursday and Friday. There are no reports of damage so far. Pushed by strong winds, the wildfire is now half a kilometre from Easterville. Seven ground crews, four bulldozers and two water bombers are keeping it at the edge of the communities.
According to volunteer firefighter Vincent Lachose, Easterville has become a ghost town.
"We were out last night going door-to-door," Lachose told CTV Winnipeg. "In the years I've lived here, I've never seen it his quiet."
He said thick smoke has filled the sky. Volunteers, he said, are helping on the ground to try and prevent smaller fires from flaring up.
"We've still got a lot of hot spots," Lachose said. "It's unpredictable."
119 wildfires have been recorded in Manitoba so far this year. For this time of year, the average is 236.
With files from CTV Winnipeg and The Canadian Press
