Bunibonibee Cree Nation has been evacuated because of a large wildfire near the northern Manitoba community.
The fire, about 5,747 hectares in size, is 10 kilometres south of the community, which is also known as Oxford House. With a south wind expected Wednesday, the fire could edge closer to the community, the Manitoba government said in a news release.
Sprinklers have been set up in the community to help prevent the fire from potentially spreading, and more resources were being set there Wednesday.
Harjit Sajjan, the federal minister of emergency preparedness, said Wednesday he had approved a request by the province for Canadian Armed Forces air assets to help with the evacuation.
The province said there are 71 active wildfires across the province and a total of 233 wildfires so far this year.
“Lightning and human-caused fires continue to persist with hot and dry conditions, although there could be some scattered and isolated showers across Manitoba over the next few days,” the release said.
The fire is not the largest currently burning in Manitoba.. One 35 km north of Garden Hill, 22 km south of God’s Lake Narrows and 40 km west of Red Sucker Lake is more than 35,000 hectares. Some residents of God’s Lake First Nation, Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Wasagamack First Nation, Red Sucker Lake First Nation and St. Theresa Point First Nation have been evacuated because of smoke in the area.
Another fire 23 km east of Pukatawagan is about 21,900 hectares. A fire about 60 km northeast of Thompson and 55 km west of Split Lake is an estimated 18,000 hectares.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca