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Wildfire near Southend grows to 5,500 hectares

Jun 21, 2018 | 5:20 PM

The so-called ‘Woods’ wildfire, burning 13 kilometres from the northern community of Southend, has grown by another 80 per cent since Wednesday.

The Ministry of Environment said the blaze, located at the southern tip of Reindeer Lake, was measured at 5,500 hectares, or roughly 55 square kilometres, late Thursday.

In a statement to paNOW, the ministry said the fire was active on the west side Thursday. Wildfire Management personnel worked to secure the north and west portions of the fire in efforts impede any further movement towards the communities of Southend and Brabant.

The ministry said it’s keeping a close eye on the movement of the fire and any possible threats to any property in the general area. Over 700 people have been displaced because of the blaze, with many hundred being assisted by the Red Cross in Prince Albert.