Flin Flon evacuees at Winnipeg emergency centres continue to wait for hotel rooms

It has been four days since evacuees from Flin Flon began arriving in Winnipeg, with many staying at emergency centres like Century arena. Several evacuees say, while they’re grateful for the support they’ve received, frustrations are growing as they continue to hope for hotel openings. 

The latest from Flin Flon officials as of Sunday Morning is that Fire crews have thus far contained the 38 thousand hectare fire outside the city’s perimeter highway, and as of Saturday night, there are no structural fires in the city. Folks like Elaine Custer who were suddenly forced out of their homes, have had to turn to emergency centres, with hotel rooms in the Winnipeg fully booked.

“For the first couple days I didn’t have nobody, but I finally found them last night, so I’m a little bit better now,” said Elaine Custer, Flin Flon evacuee.

Elaine’s friend Wilma Ballantyne is also staying at the centre.  Because she’s pregnant, she’s been told she’s on priority for a hotel room opening, now all she can do is wait and hope.

“It’s been long, exhausting, but I had people help me out, here too, they were good to me I just got here last night, and I’m waiting to get a room because I can have a baby any time,” said Ballantyne.

While some say the living conditions are noisy, and crowded, others like mother and daughter Diana Campbell and DeAvian Plummer are making the most of it. Campbell and Plummer told CityNews they’re grateful to be with other members of the Flin Flon community.

“Its been worrying its been scary, but having the community, people you pass by every day on your streets staying here, them being calm, the children all playing around and everything, it makes it less worrying, it gives you hope,” said Plummer.

“We’re lacking the comforts of our own homes, but as she said we have the community here, and we see people we see every day and that makes us a little bit calmer,” said Campbell. “And even the workers that are here, they’re very helpful they talk to us they comfort us, and they’re always walking around making sure we’re okay,” said Campbell.

The wildfire near Flin Flon is just one of 25 active wildfires throughout the province.