Firefighters had a wildfire off the Perimeter Highway contained and extinguished by 10 pm Thursday, but the cause of the blaze remained under investigation.
Firefighters charged into the bush and animals from the nearby SPCA shelter were evacuated as flames devoured sections of forest Thursday afternoon and evening.
Dark clouds of smoke could be seen from blocks away as firefighters raced to Cliff Lake Road near the SPCA animal shelter shortly before 3:20 pm.
Volunteers were seen rushing animals from the shelter and taking them to safety amid concerns over smoke inhalation and the fire spreading.
At 3:24 pm, The Reminder observed flames as high as 25 feet. Within minutes, after a hose-dragging firefighter reached the face of the blaze, few flames could be seen amid the thick smoke.
At 4:30, a witness reported the fire was not under control and that there appeared to be three separate blazes in the vicinity of the SPCA shelter, the hydro substation and the Multicrete Systems plant.
At 5 pm, another witness said there may have been four or five fires as flames kept jumping from one section of forest to another. Water bombers fought the fire from above.
About 35 firefighters teamed up with Manitoba Conservation ground and aircrews to douse the blaze.
On Friday morning, firefighters returned to the scene to ensure all of the hot spots had been extinguished.
The Reminder will have more on the fire in Monday’s print edition. Breaking news is always available at www.thereminder.ca.
