Smoke from a forest fire rises near the northern Manitoba community of Cranberry Portage. People living there are being told they may have to leave at a moment's notice. (Tracy Wheeler-Anderson)A health hazard caused by thick smoke from a northern Manitoba forest fire has prompted the province to evacuate the small community of Cormorant.

Six people have been removed from the village, Manitoba Conservation said Wednesday. A 10,000-hectare forest fire is burning near Kisseynew Lake, between the areas of Cranberry Portage and Sherridon, about 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Twenty-nine fire crews — including ones from Ontario and Minnesota — are battling the blaze.

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for two campgrounds in the Grass River Provincial Park.

Fire rages through the forest at the shore of Kisseynew Lake. (Tracy Wheeler-Anderson)People living in Cranberry Portage have been told to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

The road between Cranberry Portage and Sherridon is closed to all but local motorists. Highway 39 between Highway 10 and the Snow Lake Junction is closed because of reduced visibility.

On Tuesday, the province restricted back-country travel in the Cranberry Portage, Flin Flon and Thompson areas all the way to the northern tip of the province.

The restrictions have been extended to include the area north of The Pas.

A ban on open fires is in effect and the province has suspended granting people burning permits.

Officials said extremely dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds forced the government to restrict access and travel to people who have a permit.

Timber harvesting and tree-planting operations have been temporarily suspended.Equipment and vehicles were damaged by the blaze. Twenty-nine fire crews are in the area trying to put it out. (Tracy Wheeler-Anderson)