Manitoba community loses 28 homes and cottages to wildfire

The path of destruction from a wildfire near Lac du Bonnet, Man. is captured on camera.

A picture of the destruction from a wildfire in the RM of Lac du Bonnet is starting to emerge, as firefighters continue attempts to contain the flames.

RM of Lac du Bonnet Reeve Loren Schinkel said 28 homes and cottages in the area have been lost in the fire as of Thursday.

“Our emergency measures people have been in contact with the owners of those properties,” he said.

Meanwhile, Schinkel said there is a chance some Wendigo area residents could return to their homes Thursday night, but it’s still up in the air at this point.

“We just ask everybody to be patient,” Schinkel said.

According to Wednesday’s fire situation report, the fire near Bird River was estimated at 93,000 hectares in size and out-of-control, while a separate fire near Lac du Bonnet was pegged at 4,000 hectares.

About 1,000 people in the area have been evacuated.

‘Never seen anything like it’

Ed Martens was working in his garage Tuesday when his wife called to tell him about the fire in the area.

“I looked out the window, and it looked like someone had lit a nuclear bomb off at our place,” he said. “The clouds were just black. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He started to evacuate immediately.

“I didn’t need a warning. I grabbed a few medications and got out.”

Martens is staying at a friend’s place as he waits to find out if his house was destroyed. Family and friends from across Canada have reached out to see if he is safe.

Inside the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre, volunteers are making meals and snacks to help both evacuees and first responders working to extinguish the wildfires.

“Being a small town, everyone knows everyone,” said volunteer Sheryl Ducharme. “It’s heartbreaking, but everyone’s being very supportive.”

“There’s no shortage of love and caring.”

- With files from CTV’s Jeff Keele and Scott Andersson