Communities evacuated due to wildfire near The Pas

More Manitoba communities have implemented fire bans due to warm, dry weather.

Several Manitoba communities near The Pas have evacuated due to an out-of-control wildfire in the area.

Rocky Lake East Shore, Rocky Lake North Shore, Wanless and the Carrot Valley along Highway 283 were evacuated on Thursday according to a social media post from the RM of Kelsey.

“The winds were up. The fire was very active all night, and we were actively evacuating people out of Carrot Valley all night long,” said Lori Forbes, municipal emergency coordinator for the RM of Kelsey.

Evacuees can register at the Wescana Inn in The Pas at the Rendezvous Room once out of the community.

Forbes estimates 268 people have been evacuated from the community so far and said that number could rise on Friday.

The RM also posted Thursday the fire could have an impact on the water treatment plant. All residents are encouraged to fill water jugs and be prepared for a potential boil water advisory.

According to the most recent fire bulletin, the wildfire was 6,600 hectares in size as of May 7, the most recent data available.

The dry conditions are not helping, Forbes said.

“Up here, we need rain,” she said. “The winds are very active. We had a crossover yesterday, so I think it was 27 degrees temperature and 24 per cent humidity. That’s never good.”

Multiple communities in Manitoba have implemented fire bans and backcountry travel restrictions due to the high risk for fires.

-With files from CTV’s Alex Karpa