Manitoba forest fire triggers evacuation

A health hazard caused by thick smoke from a northern Manitoba forest fire has prompted the province to evacuatethe small community of Cormorant.

Six people have been removed from the village, Manitoba Conservation said Wednesday.A 10,000-hectare forest fire is burningnear Kisseynew Lake, between the areas of Cranberry Portage and Sherridon, about 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Twenty-nine fire crews including ones from Ontario and Minnesota are battling the blaze.

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for two campgrounds in the Grass River Provincial Park.

People living in Cranberry Portage have been told to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

The road between Cranberry Portage and Sherridon is closed to all but local motorists. Highway 39 between Highway 10 and the Snow Lake Junction is closed because of reduced visibility.

On Tuesday, the province restricted back-country travel in the Cranberry Portage, Flin Flon and Thompson areas all the way to the northern tip of the province.

The restrictions have been extended to include the area north of The Pas.

A ban on open fires is in effect and the province has suspended granting people burning permits.

Officials said extremely dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds forced the government to restrict access and travel to people who have a permit.

Timber harvesting and tree-planting operations have been temporarily suspended.