'Praying things work out': Wildfire pushes toward Leaf Rapids, where sprinklers are protecting homes

Описание: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manito...

Dawn Halcrow has two boats fuelled and ready if the roads out of her northern Manitoba lodge become engulfed in smoke and flames from an approaching wildfire.

In the meantime, the owner of Churchill River Lodge northeast of Leaf Rapids is staying on to keep the pumps going — to keep drawing water from the river and spraying her buildings — and to keep praying.

An out-of-control wildfire more than 10,500 hectares in size is advancing on the opposite shore of the Churchill River from her lodge.

The four cabins she rents out have been evacuated, taken over by fire crews being boated around to hotspots while helicopters and water bombers attack the main fire about four kilometres to the east.

That's been happening for about a week, said Halcrow, who first noticed the smoke several kilometres in the distance on June 12 and reported it to the province. At that time, the fire was estimated to be less than 300 hectares in size, according to the Manitoba government's wildfire map.

"I know what these fires can do. So I mean, I'm a little nervous but I'm praying things work out and they can get this under control," said Halcrow, who experienced major fires in the 1990s.

"I'll be safe here and be able to get out of here as long I don't have to worry about anybody else."