***Updated Thursday, May 17 at 3:35 pm***

The province says Provincial Road 315 has reopened to traffic. It was closed from 12 pm to 3 pm.

***Updated Thursday, May 17 at 3:05 pm***

The province is battling a forest fire this hour near Bird River.

According to Manitoba Sustainable Development, it is about ten hectares in size, burning south of Provincial Road 315. Due to thick smoke, PR 315 has been closed near the Bird River Bridge.

No cottages or businesses have been evacuated.

The province reports crews and water bombers are making good progress and hope the road can reopen later today.

Bird River is about 150 kilometres northeast of Steinbach.