Fire crews work to extinguish the flames after a helicopter caught fire in central Manitoba on Monday. (Photo courtesy RCMP)

A helicopter battling a forest fire in central Manitoba caught fire itself this week, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.

The craft was one of two helicopters leased by Manitoba Conservation that was working Monday to douse a small forest fire near Easterville, about 460 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, according to RCMP.

The helicopters were dumping water on the fire, trying to contain it until a water bomber could arrive and finish the job. The pilot of one of the crafts smelled smoke and immediately landed at Cedar Lake, about two kilometers from Easterville, RCMP said.

Immediately after the pilot and his lone passenger — a conservation officer — got out, the helicopter erupted in flames and was destroyed, RCMP said.

Neither man was injured.

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, but police said it will be a difficult task due to the extent of the damage to the helicopter.

No dollar estimate was provided on the damage.