Leaf Rapids home burns after wildfire flames leaped river

CBC

4 days ago

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One home has been damaged by wildfire in the northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids after flames jumped the Churchill River and entered the community Wednesday night.
"For all those who hoped and prayed for a miracle, information is that one normally occupied house on Utik Crescent is the only structure that appears to be damaged from the fire last night. The owner of this house is being contacted directly," a post on the Town of Leaf Rapids Facebook page said Thursday morning.
"All other structures are standing and appear to be undamaged."
Manitoba government officials are holding a news conference on Thursday at 12:45 p.m. CT to provide an update on wildfires around the province. CBC News will livestream the newser here and on CBC Gem.
The latest provincial fire situation report said Monday there were 121 active wildfires across Manitoba. There had been 333 wildfires this year as of Monday, well above the average of 243 for that date.
Leaf Rapids — about 150 kilometres northwest of Thompson, or 740 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg — is surrounded by three of those fires.
Flames from the fire that leaped across the river and damaged the home forced fire crews to temporarily retreat from the front lines into a safe zone before returning to resume their efforts.
Leaf Rapids declared a local state of emergency on July 7, with its 350 residents ordered to evacuate.