Some homes in Stuartburn have been evacuated today due to an out of control brush fire. The hamlet is about 60 kilometers southwest of Steinbach.

About 20 homes have been evacuated affecting about 50 people. Highway #201 has been closed east of Highway #59.

Acting Manitoba fire commissioner Dave Schafer says about 75 firefighters from at least 8 departments worked on the fires non-stop through the night. He says no property has been lost so far but there have been some close calls.

Meanwhile, firefighters from several departments Thursday night and early Friday morning battling a brush fire.

La Broquerie fire chief Al Nadeau says it broke out Thursday afternoon 3 miles southeast of La Broquerie. He says, "We managed to contain it in that section. Buildings were threatened. We managed to save them all. We didn't lose any property yet. We had Steinbach, Ste. Anne, La Broquerie and Giroux (fire departments) in their last night til 3 in the morning. The wind is supposed to be fairly strong today so we'll keep an eye on it most of the day."

Nadeau says the fire risk is extremely high and even a flicked cigarette butt could start a blaze. He asks everyone to use extreme caution.

Residents in the area say the initial fire started Tuesday night, possibly from a lightning strike. It was put out, then flared up again Thursday. They say it has burned at least one shed containing quads and other equipment.