Part of Highway 10 south of The Pas is still closed due to an encrouching forest fire. The portion of the highway will likely remain closed until at least Tuesday night.
Manitoba 511 shows the portion of the highway from Westray to the Highway 60 junction is still closed as of Tuesday morning, with about 40 kilometres of highway completely closed for public access.
The fire, which has been named the WE080 fire by Manitoba Conservation and Climate, is now 500 hectares in size and has burned right across Highway 10 between Westray and the junction with Highway 60. Manitoba Conservation and Climate still considers the fire to be "out of control" as of August 3.
Water bombers and ground crews, including members of The Pas Fire Department, have been called in to fight the fire, which was reported July 28. Investigators believe the fire started through natural causes. Recent hotspots have been reported on both sides of the highway.
Manitoba 511 had previously listed the wrong part of the highway as closed - on the afternoon of July 30, the highways map had stated that the road between The Pas and Westray had been closed - that portion of the road is, in fact, open, but a roadblock is in place at Westray heading south.
No reports of any injuries or property damage as a result of the WE080 fire have been announced. The rest of Highway 10, including sections between Flin Flon and The Pas, remains open, as does Highway 6.
