‘Yesterday was a terrible day’: Lac du Bonnet wildfire leaves cottages, homes destroyed

Reeve Loren Schinkel joins us to talk about the latest on wildfire conditions and emergency efforts in the RM of Lac du Bonnet.

A wildfire burning nearing Lac du Bonnet, Man., left a path of destruction on Tuesday, burning down several homes and cottages in the area.

“Yesterday was a terrible day, certainly for our region and our residents,” said Reeve Loren Schinkel in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Wednesday.

“It’s remarkable how our entire region pulled together. Thanks to everybody.”

Schinkel noted the evacuation zone has been extended for the seventh time, broadening to the area south of PR 313 into the Lee River/Pinawa Channel region.

He added that though fire crews were out working late last night, a number of homes and cottages were lost to the fire.

“As soon as we can provide more information, we will,” he said.

“I talked to people who were out late last night on the fire lines. There was some hopeful news in some areas, but it’s too early to get anybody’s hopes up.”

Schinkel got emotional while expressing gratitude for the many firefighters working in the area.

He noted the water bomber pilots have been “remarkable,” adding that the region had four water bombers and a helicopter working to contain the fire.

“They never left until dark last night,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to having them back this morning, but I can’t imagine being in that water bomber all day and [to] keep going and fighting for our residents.”

Schinkel hopes to have more information to provide to residents as the day unfolds.

“With the wind shift today and cooler temperatures, hopefully it will help us and we can gain a foothold and provide some good news to our residents in our region,” he said.

Evacuee says she’s ‘praying for rain’

Kristine Wood, an evacuee from Lac du Bonnet, said thankfully her home has not been destroyed.

“We’ve been lucky with the wind…and luckily today the wind is still in our favour,” she said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Wednesday.

“The cooler weather is helping, and we’re just praying for rain.”

Wood is staying at her uncle’s home, which is across the river from where she lives.

She can see her home from where she is, adding that it’s been like watching a “train wreck.”

“Just having everything totally out of your control, but yet I couldn’t break myself away,” she said.

“It was really devastating to watch, but again, we’re so, so thankful and lucky right now.”

Wood said she hasn’t heard any updates from fire officials but recognizes that they are incredibly busy. She added that she’s fortunate to be nearby her home to see what is going on.

• With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé