Four Manitoba First Nations evacuating due to smoke from wildfires
Four First Nation communities in eastern Manitoba are being evacuated due to smoke and wildfires.
So far more than 1,300 people have been forced to leave their homes and that number is only expected to grow.
People from Pauingassi, Little Grand Rapids, Berens River and Bloodvein First Nations have been moved to hotels in southern Manitoba to escape thick smoke and flames.
“It got to that. It got to the feeling that everybody needed to leave,” said Virginia Thomas, an evacuee from Bloodvein.
She helped Monday to get people on buses in the community as the flames crept closer to the only road out.
“When the time came, we saw all the smoke, we saw the fire starting on the main road so that was very concerning,” Thomas said.
The Canadian Red Cross is supporting the evacuations.
The organization said partial evacuations shifted to full evacuations in Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids. Evacuations are also now underway in Berens River and Bloodvein.
“Little Grand (Rapids) and Pauingassi and Bloodvein—they are staying in hotels in Winnipeg,” said Jason Small, a spokesperson for the Red Cross. “Some from Berens (River) are staying in Winnipeg and today those that are flying out are being flown to stay in hotels in Brandon.”
But not everyone wants to leave.
Shannon Nembhard remains in Bloodvein First Nation with her parents. She said they don’t want to leave behind their home and business but she said conditions appear to be deteriorating.
“The smoke is extremely thick,” Nembhard said in a phone interview. “Ash actually just started falling not too long ago. It’s getting more and more heavier, the ash … the lack of being to breathe properly.”
In Winnipeg, Xandra-Lee Pruden is offering to help people settle into hotels and support them in the city.
She has family members who’ve been forced to leave Bloodvein and understands the stress people are feeling brought on by the evacuation.
“We’ve seen a couple posts on Facebook they’re worried if everyone’s gotten out—kids, elders—asking where they are. I think it’s a really scary time,” said Pruden.
And now that many are in Winnipeg, Thomas is also helping people deal with the challenges of leaving home for the city.
“They’re very confused,” Thomas said. “Their emotions are all mixed up. Basically, I’m here to try and console everyone.”
There are 130 active fires in Manitoba.
The four First Nations are located in an area that was moved by the province Tuesday morning to level four fire restrictions which bans all travel in the area and means permanent residents must be ready to leave their homes on an hour’s notice.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
A federal commission of inquiry says foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals.
TD penalties expected to be higher on alleged drug money laundering link: analyst
A banking analyst says TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Bowness, Tocchet, Brunette named finalists for NHL's coach of the year award
Rick Bowness of the Winnipeg Jets, Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks and Andrew Brunette of the Nashville Predators are the finalists for this season's Jack Adams Award.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Western Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
BREAKING Winnipeg man accused of killing four women will be tried by jury
A Winnipeg man accused of killing four Indigenous women will have his case heard by a jury.