Dark, billowing clouds poured over treetops along the Cliff Lake Road last week as flames devoured forest near the Flin Flon, Creighton and Area SPCA animal shelter.
About 35 firefighters teamed up with Manitoba Conservation ground and aircrews to douse the blaze as animals were evacuated from the shelter last Thursday, June 4.
Shortly after the blaze began, volunteers rushed all of the animals to safety, loading the cats and dogs into their vehicles, amid fears of smoke inhalation and the potential of the fire spreading.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation as of press time Friday, but Flin Flon firefighter Ashton Crone confirmed the blaze was contained and extinguished by 10 pm Thursday.
Firefighters retraced their steps Friday morning to make sure all hot spots were out.
“But it looks contained now,” Crone said from the scene.
Manitoba Conservation said Friday morning that the fire had burned through about three hectares of forest.
Thursday marked the Flin Flon Fire Department’s 10th wildfire of the season, according to Crone.
“We’ve had quite a few smaller ones, but never at this scale,” he said, relieved the blaze had been contained. “They don’t happen too often.”
Flames could originally be seen well above the treetops as The Reminder was on scene just minutes after the fire was spotted.
“It really didn’t get much bigger from the initial fire,” said Crone.
Along with ground crews, two water bombers and one helicopter dropped loads of water, retrieved from Trout Lake and Cliff Lake, to quench the flames.
One minor injury was reported as a firefighter had his eye flushed at the Flin Flon General Hospital.
“He went up [to the hospital] and then he was good to go,” said Crone.
As for the shelter animals, shelter manager Carmen Ward took to Facebook to express her gratitude to those who assisted and provide an update on the animals.
“I can’t thank all of you enough for coming to our aid today with the horrible forest fire scare,” Ward wrote Thursday, listing people who helped.
Ward went on to say that the animals had all been taken to safe homes until they were allowed back in the building.
One cat was transported to The Pas for medical attention as she was injured in the evacuation, Ward wrote.
On Friday morning, Crone said it was safe for staff and animals to return to the shelter.
