Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry firefighters continue to battle a sizable forest fire near the community of Naicatchewenin.
It broke out late yesterday afternoon near Lake Despair, quickly covering 80 hectares.
Information Officer Chris Marchand says the fire was fueled by strong winds and favourable burning conditions.
“It has grown quite quickly to an approximate size of 500 hectors, exhibiting some fairly intense fire behaviour,” says Marchand.
Waterbombers are working to limit its spread.
Marchand says today’s weather, which called for light winds and the small amount of rain overnight, should help in the suppression efforts.
A state of emergency has been declared in the community.
Chief Wayne Smith says the fire was burning away from the community, but it’s the smoke that is cause for concern.
“There was dense smoke coming into the community last night after the little bit of rain we got. As of today, there still smoke in the community because now the smoke is coming in, and we don’t know how it’s gonna be in the latter part of this afternoon. We’re kind of concerned, but we’re monitoring it,” says Chief Smith.
Five families most at risk were evacuated yesterday and are staying at a hotel in Fort Frances.
Smoke from the fire has also been drifting into other nearby communities.
Photo supplied by Heather Calder
(This story updates a previous one posted early Thursday morning)
