5 northern First Nations in Manitoba forced to evacuate due to the wildfire crisis

Multiple First Nations in northern Manitoba have evacuated due to the expanding wildfire crisis in the province, leaving almost two thousand residents displaced, a number expected to keep growing.

Marcel Colomb is under a full evacuation order due to how close the wildfire is in the area, causing hundreds to be displaced.

A provincial wildfire spokesperson says it’s still unsafe to return to but they are taking measures to protect the area.

“Those are basically sprinklers to protect the community and if we can set them off two hours before a fire, when it comes into the community they’re protected,” explained Earl Simmons, Provincial Wildfire Service Director.

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Heavy smoke has blanketed four First Nations Communities including, Wasagamack First Nation, Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Gods Lake First Nation and Red Sucker Lake due to an over 24,000-hectare fire. It’s led to the voluntary evacuation of over seven hundred of their most vulnerable residents.

“Those communities along with Gods Lake are all people with the highest health priorities and it’s due to the smoke, so it’s not the entire population, just the people at risk,” said Jason Small, a spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross.

Red Sucker Lake Chief Samuel Knott says the smoke is especially problematic for their members, stating respiratory issues are common in the community, due to the pandemic and issues with mold. However, Knott says, that even though most of the affected members have made it to Winnipeg, their safety is still a concern

While the blaze currently isn’t threatening the community of Red Sucker Lake, Knott says at the moment it’s the proximity of the fire to their hydro transmission line, which is made of wood.

“If the fire would burn the poles, it would be quite some time to get it restored,” explained Chief Samuel Knott of the Red Sucker Lake Anisininew Nation.

Currently, there are fifty-eight active fires in the province, sixteen deemed out of control.

Simmons says other provinces have been helping out, with crews from Ontario, two water bombers from Quebec, and an observation plane from New Brunswick.

“It’s about two to three kilometers away from that powerline and that’s the focus of our efforts between bucketing, waterbombing, and crews to protect that structure there and there is a communication tower over there we are protecting as well,” said Simmons.