A wildfire that forced members of a northern Manitoba First Nation to evacuate has grown to 10,500 hectares.
The Manitoba Wildfire Service began flying members of Bunibonibee Cree Nation out of the community Wednesday. Some evacuees of the community of about 2,700 have been brought to Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. Sprinklers are in the community, also known as Oxford House, to protect buildings from the flames.
The Canadian Armed Forces provided six C-130 Hercules aircraft to assist in the evacuation and to fly in pet food for animals left behind, according to a provincial news release.
Trisha North photos Bunibonibee Cree Nation during the wildfire evacuation.
There are currently 64 fires burning across Manitoba, with a total of 236 wildfires this season. Some were sparked by lightning strikes while others were caused by people.
The wildfire service is also monitoring other fires in the far north that don’t pose an immediate threat to communities.
Some residents in 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 from the nearby fires.
Residents in the area are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep doors and windows closed, set air-conditioning units to recirculate air to prevent smoke from getting indoors and drink lots of water to prevent inhaling smoke.
Trisha North photos Bunibonibee Cree Nation during the wildfire evacuation.
