On August 23, 2011, shortly after 4:30pm, Blue Hills RCMP members along with the Shilo Fire and Ambulance Department responded to a large uncontrolled grass fire burning in the RM of Cornwallis. The scene of the fire was about 2.5 miles west of CFB Shilo in the community of Sprucewoods, near a railway track.
Strong westbound winds made controlling the fire a difficult task resulting in a large barn destroyed and other property including a vacant single wide trailer, landscape and fences.
Local farmers and farm hands were also on scene to assist in containing the fire with farm implements. It took about three hours to bring the grass fire under control.
Total damage estimates are not available at present but damages are considered extensive.
RCMP report no injuries or deaths resulted from this fire. Employees of an area farm were evacuated along with rural residences threatened by the fire. In total, about 40 to 50 people were evacuated.
RCMP and the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner continue to investigate. While the investigation is in the early stages, the fire appears to be accidental in nature.
