Crews respond to large marsh fire Thursday night near St. Ambroise

Grass fires in the area are the cause of widespread smoke this morning.

The Portage la Prairie Fire Department responded to a large marsh fire Thursday night in the St. Ambroise area. 

The location of the fire was east of Highway 430 and north of Highway 411, and as of early Friday, it was still burning.

Other fires have been reported north of Portage as well and thanks to a north wind, much of the smoke created by the blazes is covering the city. Much of the smoke is also coming from wildfires in northern Saskatchewan and northern Manitoba and a special air quality statement has been issued.

PortageOnline will have more details when they become available.