Alberta/>/> sent 30 of their firefighters to The Pas Saturday afternoon.  They joined the more than 500 firefighters from Manitoba/> and Ontario/> already struggling to get forest fires in northern Manitoba/>/> under control.

Tom Mirus, manager of the province's fire program, says the two largest fires continue to be the one burning near Sherridon, and one burning north of Grand Rapids -- each have been assigned a special firefighting team.

He says the fire near Sherridon has mainly stayed north of the town so far, and hasn't destroyed any houses.  It did however destroy nearby hydro lines, meaning the 150 residents will not be able to return home yet.  He also says there is a possibility that the wind could change and push the fire back towards the town.

The fire near Grand Rapids/>/> is making travel on Hwy 6 difficult, which could be a big problem if more evacuations in that area become necessary.

Fires are still burning near St./> Theresa/> Point/>/> and Wasagamack.  Just over 600 evacuees from those areas are staying at hotels in Brandon/> and Winnipeg/>/>.

The fire near Norway House is under control and the nearly 1900 evacuees from there have begun returning home.

Exceptionally dry conditions have made 2008 a bad year for fires in the province.  Here is how the situation looks by the numbers:

  • Fires at the end of May in 2008 - 166
  • Fires at the end of May in 2007 - 88
  • Firefighters working in Manitoba/>/> on May 31 - approx. 530
  • Equipment in use on May 31 - 29 helicopters, 11 water bombers
  • People evacuated as of May 31 - 2650
  • Size of the fire burning north of Sherridon - 7000 hectares
  • Size of last week's fire in the Sandilands - 3400 hectares
  • Number of forest fires started by people in 2008 - 161
  • Number of forest fires started by lightning in 2008 - 5

See viewers pictures of the fires.