Hundreds flee as forest fire rages near Sapotaweyak Cree Nation
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/FacebookA forest fire near Sapotaweyak Cree Nation has forced nearly a third of the community to evacuate.
The Manitoba community is located on Dawson Bay.
Close to 500 people, including the elderly, young families and people with medical conditions have been bused to hotels in The Pas and Swan River.
It’s believed the fire sparked Sunday, but it’s unclear how large it is or what caused it.
READ MORE: Hundreds evacuated and crews still working after massive fire in downtown Brandon
Anne Bourassa captured images of smoke billowing in the air and water bombers fighting the flames and posted them to Facebook.
Bourassa wrote “this is a huge forest fire” and “getting worse by the minute.”
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/Facebook
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/Facebook
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/Facebook
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/Facebook
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/Facebook
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/Facebook
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/Facebook
Close to 500 have been evacuated from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation as crews continue to battle a forest fire nearby.
Anne Bourassa/FacebookIf the flames continue to spread, a full evacuation could be ordered.
Roughly 1400 people live in the community, which is about 400 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
READ MORE: Fire causes major structural damage to warehouse in St. James
Editor's Picks
ANALYSIS: For the Wynne Liberals, the Ontario election has always been 'Save the Furniture'
It used to take 10 years to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Now it takes mere minutes
Women are 3 times more likely to get MS than men — here's what we know
'All I knew was that I couldn’t walk anymore:’ Canadians living with MS
Multiple sclerosis in Canada: Understanding why MS rates are the highest here
EXCLUSIVE: Canada's plan for managing the return of ISIS fighters revealed in documents
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.