‘It’s contained, but it’s still not controlled’: Lac du Bonnet wildfire fight continues

The aftermath of an out-of-control wildfire is seen in the RM of Lac du Bonnet. (RM of Lac du Bonnet website)

Cooler temperatures and overcast skies are helping wildfire fighting efforts in Lac du Bonnet, but the rural municipality’s reeve says the battle rages on.

“We didn’t get a lot of moisture,” Loren Schinkel told CTV News Sunday morning. “It’s more of a drizzling rain, but there’s a misconception that’s enough to put out this horrendous blaze. There’s trees that are burning, trees falling over, and there’s burning inside the trees.”

According to the Manitoba Wildfire Service’s map, the Lac du Bonnet wildfire was still around 4,000 hectares as of Saturday.

“It’s contained, but it’s still not controlled,” Schinkel said. “That’s what the issue here is.”

Schinkel said RCMP and Lac du Bonnet’s emergency measures coordinator were meeting Sunday following a briefing from Wildfire Services.

He said officials are dealing with security issues in some areas of the municipality including people re-entering “no-go zones” where crews and Manitoba Hydro employees are working. He’s urging residents to adhere to evacuation orders and other measures in place.

“I know that’s there’s a lot of angst, and I know people are saying we’re not doing enough. But this is all about everybody’s safety and we have crews in there that are making it safe.”

Schinkel said crews are working to repair damaged roads so Manitoba Hydro crews can continue work in the Grausdin Point and Wendigo Road areas.

Schinkel added he visited the evacuation centre on Saturday evening and said his heart goes out to residents impacted by the wildfire.

“It sent shivers up my back when they described what they had endured.”