Homes, cottages destroyed by wildfires – Winnipeg Free Press

A permanent home and five cottages were destroyed in a wildfire near Flin Flon on Tuesday, the provincial government said.

Two garages were among the eight buildings destroyed in Sourdough Bay. At Twin Lakes, the ninth building, a stable, was destroyed.

Air crews found a small number of structures believed to be damaged in other areas affected by the fire. The damage is being confirmed by ground crews, who will be inspecting other damage in the coming weeks. Residents of Cranberry Portage, Schist Lake North, Sourdough Bay, Twin Lakes and Whitefish Lake were allowed to return home Sunday. People whose primary homes are in those communities will receive an additional $200 evacuation allowance, the release said.

Train service has been restored between Cranberry Portage and Pukatawagan. Canada Post operations are back to normal for Cranberry Portage and Sherridon.

The province said officials have received reports of drones flying over fires and near airports and have reminded drone operators that it is illegal to use them near airports.

The size of the field fire is about 37,000 hectares. The smoke from the fire is affecting the settlements in the region.

Emergency reception centers at hotels in Flin Flon and Paz were closed.