Cottagers allowed back, but business slow to return in Caddy Lake

The wildfires along the Manitoba-Ontario border are hampering business in cottage country.

Louay Alghoul, who owns Caddy Lake Resort in Manitoba's Whiteshell Provincial Park, saidhe's grateful the fire didn't touch his business but the situationhas made for a slow start to the season.

He's had 20 per cent drop in business compared to last year, but he's staying positive. If the rest of the summer holds out to be as nice as this weekend, in terms of the weather,Alghoul expects business to bounces back quickly.

"We're ready for a really good season and it's starting beautiful," he said.

"I think we have the best long weekend across the nation so that's perfect. I think it'sgoing tobe good."

• Caddy Lake fire shrinking, evacuation orders lifted in Whiteshell, northwest Ontario
• 'Volatile' forest fires along Manitoba-Ontario border force more evacuations

Evacuation orders have been lifted in that area but crews are still battling wildfires in the region. The fires now cover5,800hectares.

Officials say infrared scanning is continuing to find hotspotsand crews are utilizing helicopter bucketsto extinguish them.

• 'Still a lot of heat in the ground,' fire officials tell Whiteshell property owners