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CBC
6 hours ago
- General
- CBC
Wildfire evacuees, allowed to carry just 1 bag as they fled, in need of donations
Social Sharing Hundreds of wildfire evacuees who were allowed to carry only one bag with them as they scrambled to get out of northern Manitoba are in need of donations, as it could be weeks before they can go back home. Roughly 240 evacuees from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, also known as Pukatawagan, have been sheltering at the Winnipeg Soccer Federation North complex on Leila Avenue, along with about 400 people from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Thousands of people in both northern Manitoba communities were put under mandatory evacuation orders last week after separate out-of-control wildfires moved closer to the First Nations. Mary Sylvia Caribou, an emergency measures co-ordinator with Pukatawagan, said each evacuee was only allowed to bring one bag with them from their homes, and donations are needed. "There's lots of babies, and we need more stuff like socks, pampers and milk. We don't have much stuff for them," Caribou said. "There's a lot more kids than adults." A tent has been set up outside the complex where evacuees are staying and donations can be dropped off there. "Just come down, drop whatever. We're here all day," she said. The Manitoba Métis Federation is opening up a drop-off site for donations for evacuees at 25 Ray Marius Rd., in the Transcona Industrial Park area in Winnipeg. Meanwhile, the Canadian Red Cross has opened up a fundraiser for monetary donations that will be used to support evacuees and the communities hosting them. WATCH | Local Manitoba organizations collect donations to help fire victims: Local Manitoba organizations collect donations to help fire victims 3 days ago Duration 1:54 'I had no hope' Caribou was evacuated from Pukatawagan to Thompson last week with hundreds of other residents who had been relocated in southern Manitoba. "It was very hectic. It has been first-come, first-served," she said. "I've only had maybe three hours, four hours of rest since we left, so I am doing the best I can to help." Caribou said the accommodations for evacuees at the soccer complex are OK but there have been some challenges, including about three showers in each washroom that are being used by at least 600 people staying there. There are plans to move some of the evacuees from Winnipeg to Brandon, where there are more hotel spaces available for residents, said Caribou. That could happen as early as Monday, but they are waiting on instructions from Pukatawagan's chief and council. "I'm not leaving 'til everybody leaves and then I follow them wherever we're going to go," she said. Pukatawagan was evacuated in 1998 and 2022. During the last evacuation, Caribou said residents were out of the First Nation for five weeks. Now they are being told it might be approximately two months before they can come back. "There's still fire, but they are containing it," she said. "It rained the other day, so that was a good thing. We're praying for it." Eli Caribou, 17, and his family are some of the roughly 240 Pukatawagan evacuees staying at the soccer complex in Winnipeg, which is about 700 kilometres southeast from their home in the Cree Nation. He left Pukatawagan on Saturday after waiting for days to be airlifted, along with hundreds more who were stranded when heavy smoke closed the community's only airport last week and limited the evacuation to aircraft carrying between six to 13 people at a time. "I had no hope. I completely gave up," he said. "Helicopters were barely coming in and all fires were getting close." The evacuation ramped up during the weekend after the airport reopened and double-rotor helicopters from the Canadian Forces started carrying more residents out of the community. From his window seat in the helicopter, Eli Caribou said he had a view of smoke filling the sky in a mushroom cloud shape billowing from the fire burning on the ground. "I'm just glad we got out. I'm just hoping everyone else got out of the community and I hope the fires die down all around," he said.
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Manitoba Métis Federation assists wildfire evacuees with needed supplies
One of several piles of items for wildfire evacuees collected by the Manitoba Métis Federation. Uploaded on June 1, 2025. (Gary Robson/CTV News Winnipeg) With roughly 17,000 people being evacuated in northern Manitoba due to ongoing wildfire danger, various supports have been put in place to assist the evacuees. The Manitoba government noted on Sunday that congregate shelters have been set up in Winnipeg, Thompson, Winkler and Portage la Prairie. 'The hotels are already full across Manitoba,' said Premier Wab Kinew during a press conference last Wednesday. In Winnipeg, Billy Mosienko Arena (709 Keewatin Street), Eric Coy Arena (535 Oakdale Drive), Century Arena (1377 Clarence Avenue) and the Winnipeg Soccer Federation North facility (770 Leila Avenue) have been closed to the public to be used for emergency shelters or reception areas. Billy Mosienko Arena The Billy Mosienko Arena, seen on May 31, 2025, is being used to offer assistance to wildfire evacuees from across the province. (Gary Robson/CTV News Winnipeg) The City of Winnipeg stated that all programming and rentals at those sites are suspended until further notice, adding that they are working closely with the provincial government and the Canadian Red Cross. Evacuees who do not have a place to stay are being asked by the provincial government to proceed to Billy Mosienko Arena, staffed by provincial emergency social services and the Canadian Red Cross. The centre will be open all hours of the day until further notice, according to the provincial government. Manitoba Métis Federation provides supplies to evacuees Manitoba Métis Federation command centre The Manitoba Métis Federation is offering supplies and meals to evacuees at 406 McGregor Street. Uploaded June 1, 2025. (Gary Robson/CTV News Winnipeg) Since Thursday, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) has established a command centre at 406 McGregor Street, offering donated supplies and meals to evacuees. 'Being evacuated from a place from up north to (Winnipeg) is stressful,' said JoAnne Remillard, MMF Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Remillard said that 'well over a hundred' evacuees dropped by the command centre on Sunday. 'The donations keep coming in,' she said. 'We've also opened up our pharmacy for those that had to evacuate quickly and may have forgotten their prescriptions.' She stated that the command centre offers a wide range of supplies, including clothing, shoes, children's toys and hygiene products. Items for fire evacuees can be donated at the command centre between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Donations outside of those hours can be received by calling 1-888-362-2012. University of Manitoba housing evacuees and firefighters B.C. firefighter B.C. firefighters, as shown in this undated image, are being housed at the University of Manitoba. Uploaded June 1, 2025. (B.C. government) The University of Manitoba is also assisting wildfire efforts by housing evacuees and firefighters, after initially being contacted by the provincial government last week. Nick Sears, government and community relations officer with the University of Manitoba, stated on Sunday afternoon that approximately 30 firefighters from B.C. have been staying on campus since Friday night. Sears said the university is expecting the possibility of 100 additional firefighters from the U.S. staying on campus after they arrive later this week. Evacuees from Flin Flon, Pukatawagan and other northern communities in Manitoba are also staying on campus, with a total of 87 beds presently available for evacuees. 'About half of the beds have been occupied,' said Sears. 'The number does change, sort of every hour, depending on who's going and coming.' He added that 'a lot' of the evacuees housed on campus are single individuals. 'It's been a very challenging couple of days, but it's also been a very proud moment for the university to be able to step up and help in what is a really challenging and difficult time.' Over 8.9K evacuees registered with Red Cross, says province The provincial government is encouraging all evacuees to register with the Canadian Red Cross as soon as possible, stating that registration 'ensures the province can allocate supports where they are most needed.' Registration allows evacuees to be contacted 'about services and assistance that may become available to them,' according to a provincial press release. The Canadian Red Cross has already registered more than 8,900 people from over 3,500 households as of May 30 that were evacuated due to wildfires in the province. Evacuees can register online or by calling 1-800-863-6582 (toll-free) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. CDT. The provincial government stated that 'while donations and public support is appreciated,' individuals are advised to coordinate support 'through official channels' as evacuation centres are not set up for uncoordinated drop-offs. -With files from CTV's Gary Robson
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'Cried my eyes out': Northern Saskatchewan communities evacuated as wildfires burn
Article content For some, like Brian Ballantyne, it starts with a knock on the door. Article content Article content Northern wildfires are forcing many communities to issue mandatory evacuation orders, and lives are suddenly upended. Article content Ballantyne — from the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation community at Pelican Narrows — is among the people who have been forced from their homes. Ballantyne was looking after his brother's house when he heard what he described as persistent knocking at the door. Article content Article content Evacuees to Saskatoon are being supported by the Canadian Red Cross, which is providing necessary supports out of the Cosmo Civic Centre. Article content Ballantyne said many people had already left ahead of the evacuation order, so the road into the community was not extremely busy as he was leaving. He said air quality was not bad, but added officials were expecting the wind to change and bring smoke into the Pelican Narrows townsite. Article content 'I wasn't planning on going out of town,' he said. 'I was planning on staying there, but they told me you had to go.' Article content Article content When it comes to the battle against fires threatening the community, Ballantyne said he saw water-bombers and helicopters working to contain the flames. Article content The province, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, on Thursday declared a state of emergency. As of Thursday, there have been 206 wildfires in Saskatchewan this year — well above the five-year average of 125. Article content Article content 'We are seeing the devastating effects of wildfires impact communities across our province,' Premier Scott Moe said. Article content The state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days and can be extended if necessary. Article content Lana Sheppard said East Trout Lake is 'devastated' after fire on Wednesday swept through, leaving the small resort subdivision north of Narrow Hills Provincial Park largely destroyed. Article content East Trout Lake was issued an evacuation orders earlier this week, along with nearby Little Bear Lake campground. Article content 'There's nothing left. Everything's gone,' she said, after receiving aerial photos from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency showing the aftermath.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Canadian Red Cross offering shelter, transportation for wildfire evacuees
Watch Melanie Solar of the Canadian Red Cross on the accommodations that are offered to wildfire evacuees such as congregate shelter sites, food and transpiration.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Immediate support offered to evacuees: Kinew
As 17,000 Manitobans flee for their lives with little more than the shirts on their backs, some take shelter in hotels and motels, arenas or with family and friends. Where they end up depends on what they need, Premier Wab Kinew said Friday. 'The first principle is that this is one Manitoba,' Kinew said at a wildfire briefing Friday as the threat worsened. The province offered Emergency Social Services support for the mandatory evacuees right away rather than expecting municipalities or local authorities to support their residents for a minimum 72 hours, as guidelines dictate. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS 'It's important that people register as an evacuee if they have been told to leave their community,' Premier Wab Kinew said Friday. 'Given the scale of the situation here, the department of families has decided to waive 72-hour period, and we're going to help people immediately,' Kinew told the legislative assembly on Thursday. Emergency Social Services are provided on a short-term basis 'to preserve the emotional and physical well-being of evacuees and response workers in emergency situations.' The province's first priority is to ensure accommodations and food are provided to people fleeing a disaster. For those who don't stay with family and friends, staff are focused on accommodations in congregate facilities where food and shelter is provided, a spokesman for the provincial government said Friday. 'Many evacuees have already been receiving support, and as people register, the province is working with the Canadian Red Cross to ensure everyone receives supports,' he said without providing numbers or details. 'It's important that people register as an evacuee if they have been told to leave their community.' They can register online or at a reception centre. 'The reception centre I was at (Thursday) had folks who were coming from the city of Flin Flon but also Pukatawagan Cree Nation,' the premier said Friday. People from First Nations would get federal support and others, including Flin Flon residents, would get provincial support, Kinew said. Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'There's just one desk where people are checking in, getting registered and getting assigned supports. When we get to who's staying with friends and family that's effectively self-selected.' He said a lot evacuees are going to head to congregate shelters. 'The hotel rooms in the province are very, very hard to come by right now and that's because of the previous evacuations, because of other folks just having their business conferences, vacations,' the premier said. 'Where we do have access to hotel rooms is being prioritized for medical patients and (those with) accessibility issues and for who staying in a cot in a congregate setting might be a challenge.' Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
