Fire forces evacuations, threatens cottages in Beaver Creek Provincial Park

The Manitoba Wildfire Service says a number of buildings have been lost in a wildfire that forced people from their homes and cottages Monday inBeaver Creek Provincial Park.

The province said Monday evening that permanent and seasonal residents have been forced from their homesand that the fire is threatening up to 25 cottages.

A provincial spokesperson didn't immediately know how many people or buildings were affected, but said a number of buildings have been destroyed.

Water bombers and other crews are actively working on the fire, but efforts are being hampered by extensive smoke, the province said.

The provincial park is located about 170 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Manitoba Hydro said some of its equipment in the area is downdue to the fire and crews won't be able to repair it until working conditions are safe. About 370 customers are affected, the Crown utility said in a tweet.

ColleenWeibellives at the Little Deer cottage subdivision, north of the provincial park on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. She said her power went out Monday afternoon and was told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

"Atthis point, we don't know if they have the fire under control. We're still on evacuation alert,"Weibelsaid in a phone interviewMonday evening.

Weibelsaid it appears the fire started near a peat moss mine in the area and that Provincial Road 234, the only way in and out of the area,was shut down earlier Monday.

"We packed what we could," she added.Weibelsaid she was told she would either be evacuatednorthto Pine Dock, Man., or toMathesonIsland byferry if she had to leave.

"We're feeling a little more confident than we did this afternoon," she said. "The wind is in our favour right now and it's not as strong so we're feeling more confident and thinking positive."

The province said the cause of the fire will be investigated.

WATCH | Crews battle blaze in Manitoba's Beaver Creek Provincial Park:

Crews still battling blaze

4 years ago

Duration 2:00

Fire destroys 6 cabins in Manitoba's Beaver Creek Provincial Park.