Latest news with #ManitobaEmergencyManagementOrganization
Winnipeg Free Press
18-07-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Clinic helping wildfire evacuees with addiction issues
An urban First Nations health clinic has ramped up its addictions and wraparound support services for northern Manitoba wildfire evacuees struggling with substance use while staying in Winnipeg. 'There's been a lot of issues with it … we put in a hybrid addictions-treatment program in Winnipeg here that I think would be an excellent resource for evacuees,' Alex McDougall, the interim grand chief of Anisininew Okimawin, said. The Anishininew Minoyawigumik Health and Healing Centre at 1880 Ellice Ave. opened in 2021 to provide health-care for members of the four Island Lake communities of Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, St. Theresa Point and Wasagamack. KATLYN STREILEIN / FREE PRESS FILES A rapid access to addictions medicine clinic opened at the Anishininew Minoyawigumik Health and Healing Centre in April. Anisininew Okimawin opened a rapid access to addictions medicine clinic this April and began offering addictions counselling at the health centre to get ahead of an expected busy wildfire season. 'It's something we see and experience every summer during evacuations, and we're only now trying to provide some services so that we can mitigate any serious incidents and be able to provide some services and continuity of services for members even after returning home,' McDougall said. Garden Hill is under a full wildfire evacuation, while St. Theresa Point and Wasagamack are under partial evacuations. A massive wildfire moved within a kilometre of Wasagamack in 2017, forcing Island Lakes residents to evacuate to Winnipeg. McDougall said city drug dealers targeted evacuees, and some residents went home with addictions. Last week, Winnipeg police charged two men who allegedly sold cocaine outside hotels where wildfire evacuees are staying, highlighting concerns displaced Manitobans could be exploited or targeted. 'It's always in the back of our minds, when we have to evacuate, that there are predators in these large urban centres that are targeting our people,' McDougall said. There were about 1,200 evacuees staying in congregate shelters as of Thursday morning, a provincial spokesperson said. Staff members at the clinic are visiting evacuation centres in Winnipeg to promote their services to community members and volunteers working at the hubs. McDougall said it's working, and people are going to the clinic to receive supports. Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, said the justice department is providing wraparound support services in congregate shelters. Social services and mental health supports are available day and night, Stevens said at a news conference Thursday. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. 'Everyone has got to be safe, you know, when they're staying there,' she said. Stevens said the EMO receives daily reports on what is happening within shelters, but wouldn't say whether the reports include substance use. 'We have good situational awareness of what's happening,' she said. Nearly 13,000 residents are currently evacuated from wildfire-threatened communities. They are staying with friends and families, at hotels, and at evacuation centres. Nicole BuffieMultimedia producer Nicole Buffie is a multimedia producer who reports for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College's Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom in 2023. Read more about Nicole. Every piece of reporting Nicole 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wildfire risk increases, more evacuations scheduled
A handful of people will be evacuated from Stevenson Island on Thursday and Friday because of wildfires. Manitoba government officials said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that there are about 15 people remaining in the Island Lake community, and about nine or 10 will be flown out in two groups. The others will remain in place to maintain operations there, including an air strip used in fighting wildfires. The wildfire risk across the province is considered high to very high. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES The province says nearly 13,000 Manitoba residents are currently evacuated from nine communities because of wildfires. 'After some precipitation in a few areas over the last few days, we're definitely starting to see fire activity start to pick up as things dry out,' Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Wildfire Service, said. 'There's also an… extreme fire danger in the northeast area of the province.' The province says nearly 13,000 Manitoba residents are currently evacuated from nine communities because of wildfires. Evacuees are staying with friends and families, at hotels, and at evacuation centres. Four such centres are open in Winnipeg, with 6,100 beds available. Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, said there have been some questions about why some evacuees are placed in hotels and others are sent to congregate shelters. She said there are a number of factors, including long-term hotel availability. 'We don't want evacuees to have to move and relocate from hotel to hotel. We want them to settle in,' she said. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. More than 700 evacuees have been moved into hotels since Monday, and the number of hotels used has increased from 58 to 68 since then. 'Every single day, we're working to bring more hotels online that are a good fit for the needs of the community members that have been evacuated,' Stevens said. There were 118 active wildfires in Manitoba as of Wednesday and 313 so far this year. The 20-year average for this date is 229. Nearly 300 people from outside Manitoba are helping with the wildfires here. More than two-thirds of them are from Mexico. fpcity@
Global News
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Manitoba to provide latest on wildfire conditions Thursday afternoon
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Manitoba officials are set to provide another update Thursday afternoon on the province's wildfire situation. Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister, Conservation Officer Service and Manitoba Wildfire Service, and Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister, Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, will speak to media at 12:45 p.m. from the Manitoba legislature. Premier Wab Kinew renewed Manitoba's state of emergency a week ago as wildfires continued to rage in the province's north. Thousands have since been evacuated from their homes, many for the second time this summer. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Global News will stream the press conference live on this page.
Winnipeg Free Press
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Firefighters in Garden Hill protect lumberyard from flames
A wildfire threatens to burn construction material on the Garden Hill First Nation that is needed to build homes in the surrounding region in northeastern Manitoba. Alex McDougall, interim grand chief of Anisininew Okimawin, which represents four Island Lake First Nations, estimates there's a shortage of 400 homes. If the fire consumes the material, it could take years to re-build inventory, partly due to the remoteness of the area that requires supplies be trucked in on winter roads. Alex McDougall photo Heavy smoke is seen in Garden Hill First Nation on Saturday. The blaze that threatens the community has burned 2,865 hectares thus far. 'If the materials do go up, that means that they'll probably have to go through the process of filing a claim for the material, trying to get that resupplied, and again, falling behind trying to respond to the chronic backlog of housing that our communities experience,' McDougall said Tuesday. The blaze that threatens Garden Hill, which has burned 2,865 hectares thus far, started on the south side of the community, where the bulk lumberyard is located. Fire crews are stationed at the yard day and night and have installed sprinklers to protect the supplies. 'It would be a devastating loss to the community if that material was to burn,' McDougall said. 'All too often as a very quick fix within our northern communities, what we see is portable homes and mobile homes being brought in, which aren't suitable to the environment and don't last long.' The chief said no homes or material had been lost as of Tuesday. About 90 per cent of Garden Hill residents had been evacuated as of Tuesday, but about 1,000 priority residents in St. Theresa Point and Wasagamack need to be evacuated. McDougall was told late Monday that Stevenson Island, another community in the region, may also have to evacuate. The only airstrip that's big enough to accommodate the Hercules aircraft, which the military is using to evacuate the area, is on Stevenson Island, which has 400 residents. On Tuesday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service said 122 wildfires were burning. This season, there have been 305 wildfires to date, well above the average of 221 fires for this date. In total, 12,000 Manitoba residents remained evacuated from eight communities. More than 6,000 were being housed in more than 2,100 Manitoba hotel rooms, while about 1,300 were staying in Ontario hotel rooms. The province has room for more than 7,000 evacuees at shelters, Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, said Monday. The northern city of Thompson continues to be under an evacuation notice owing to a nearby fire which has burned 163,000 hectares. Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook said in a daily radio update that firefighters continue to remove vegetation to reduce the fire risk in and around the city of 13,000 people. Twenty firefighters from Mexico are helping to prevent the spread of the fire toward Thompson, Smook said. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. Thompson residents were asked to fill out pre-evacuation forms. The city has said an evacuation would be called if the nearby fire cuts off Highway 6, the vital link to the south. The province remains at a moderate to high fire danger level, the bulletin said. Much of Central Canada and Manitoba were placed under special air quality statements or warnings early Monday morning amid smoke from wildfires. Environment Canada advised residents to limit time outdoors and watch for smoke exposure symptoms. Nicole BuffieMultimedia producer Nicole Buffie is a multimedia producer who reports for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College's Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom in 2023. Read more about Nicole. Every piece of reporting Nicole 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.
National Observer
14-07-2025
- Climate
- National Observer
Fires force Manitoba to prep for evacuees, bring alert to jewel Saskatchewan park
Manitoba prepared Monday to find shelter for thousands more potential wildfire evacuees while, in neighbouring Saskatchewan, out-of-control blazes shut down close to half of Prince Albert National Park, the province's crown jewel summer destination. Manitoba officials said Monday about 1,300 fire refugees are staying at two congregate shelters in Winnipeg. Other shelters were set to open to provide space if necessary for 7,000 more. That includes 4,000 cot spaces at the city's cavernous downtown RBC Convention Centre. 'We do have additional sites that have been stood up and are on standby should they be required,' Christine Stevens, with the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, told reporters Monday. 'Because hotel space is very limited in Manitoba, we are asking people to stay with family and friends first if they do have somewhere safe to stay,' she added. 'That said, we do want folks to know if they do need somewhere safe to stay, we do have congregate spaces available to support them.' The spaces were being made ready as thousands of potential refugees were nervously eyeing nearby wildfires at St. Theresa Point and Wasagamack First Nations, about 480 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Priority residents in those two First Nations, such as those with medical issues, were being sent out Monday. Also in the area sits the Garden Hill First Nation. It's a fly-in community and the 3,000-plus residents began being airlifted out last week by military and commercial aircraft. Manitoba is battling 122 active fires in what is considered one of the worst fire seasons in years. In Saskatchewan, meanwhile, fires have forced out about 1,000 residents across a number of communities. Fires are also threatening the 13,000 residents of the city of Thompson. They have been told to be ready to move quickly if necessary. Rain and hard work have allowed all fires to be kept at bay for the most part, officials said. "We're quite confident in the protections that we've put in place between the fire and the City of Thompson. Of course, there's always an unknown, the weather can create different situations," said Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister with the provincial wildfire program. More than 6,000 people are out of their homes in Manitoba in this summer's second wave of evacuations. The first wave peaked in May and June, with 22,000 people out at one point, before the fires receded, then flared up again. The communities of Lynn Lake and Snow Lake ordered residents to flee for the second time in just weeks. A group of 28 American and Dutch canoeists, planning a trip down the Churchill River in northern Manitoba, were told to turn back on the weekend due to the fire danger, RCMP said. "They were very understanding and arrangements are being made by their organizers in Minnesota to arrange for a bus to come and collect them," Manitoba RCMP said in a written statement. "They were self-sufficient with food and water and were loaned a small BBQ by the detachment to allow them to cook without an open flame." The fires have put the squeeze on Manitoba's 15,000 hotel rooms. Last week, Premier Wab Kinew reissued the provincewide state of emergency, giving the province powers to create congregate shelters. Manitoba is battling 122 active fires in what is considered one of the worst fire seasons in years. The fires have also triggered smoke warnings and advisories through much of Manitoba and into Saskatchewan. In Saskatchewan, the fires have forced out about 1,000 residents across a number of communities. They also prompted Parks Canada to close the northern half of the sprawling Prince Albert National Park on Sunday night and urge those remaining to either leave or be ready to go at a moment's notice. The agency has said the fire is raging 40 kilometres from the Waskesiu townsite. 'Over the recent days, hot, dry and windy conditions resulted in significant fire growth and as of yesterday the fire has spread into the north and northeastern areas of the park,' Carla Flaman, the external relations manager for Parks Canada, wrote in an email to residents Sunday. 'Fire conditions are currently extreme, meaning conditions are favourable for continued fire growth.' Tyler Baker, the general manager of the Waskesiu Golf Course, located inside the park, said patrons were teeing up Monday with clear skies but were prepared to leave. "There's been a few people that have left,' Baker said in an interview. 'We're anxious but we're calm. We don't want to lose our community because it's a tourist area and it's a short season. But should the situation arise where we do have to evacuate, we're well prepared and we're confident.' The 3,900-square-kilometre national park was created almost a century ago, in 1927. Visitors flock to it each summer to hike, camp, golf, swim, boat, fish and watch wildlife. The park is home to more than 200 bird species and has one of Canada's few remaining populations of free-range bison. North of the townsite in the backcountry sits Grey Owl's Cabin, a recognized federal heritage building. Archibald Belaney, commonly known as Grey Owl, lived at the cabin with his wife where he took care of orphaned beavers and wrote about the importance of conservation. —With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina
