A permanent home and five cottages were destroyed by a wildfire near Flin Flon, the provincial government said Tuesday.
Two garages were also among eight buildings destroyed in Sourdough Bay. A ninth building, a permanent home, was destroyed in Twin Lakes.
Aerial crews have identified a small number of structures believed to be damaged in other areas affected by the fires. The damage will be confirmed by ground crews, who will also be checking for other damage in the coming weeks. Residents of Cranberry Portage, Schist Lake North, Sourdough Bay, Twin Lakes and Whitefish Lake were allowed to return to their homes Sunday. A supplemental evacuation allowance of $200 will be issued to people whose primary homes are in those communities, a news release said.
Cranberry Portage on Saturday (NEENA LUNDIE PHOTO)
Train service has been restored between Cranberry Portage and Pukatawagan. Canada Post operations for Cranberry Portage and Sherridon are back to normal.
The province said officials have been receiving reports of drones flying over the fire and near airports and reminded drone operators that using them near airports is illegal.
The wildfire remains at about 37,000 hectares in size. Smoke from the blaze continues to affect communities in the area.
Emergency reception centres at hotels in Flin Flon and The Pas have closed.
Another wildfire near Wanless north of The Pas remains about 2,785 hectares in size and 2.5 km from the community.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca