The Canadian Red Cross is currently providing support to over 2,300 individuals from the Bunibonibee Cree Nation who have been displaced from their homes due to ongoing wildfires. The blaze, which has been burning uncontrollably and has spread to over 5,700 hectares as of the latest update on Wednesday, has prompted the evacuation of the community.
Local firefighters have been tirelessly working to create a buffer zone and safeguard surrounding structures from the advancing wildfire. However, unfavorable winds from the south earlier this week have propelled the flames directly towards the community's vicinity, encroaching on the area on Tuesday.
The Red Cross's aid efforts encompass transportation, temporary lodging, meals, and essential personal items. In addition, they have coordinated air transportation out of the affected community, including the deployment of Hercules aircraft provided by the Canadian Armed Forces. Flights commenced on Wednesday morning, relocating evacuees to Winnipeg, Brandon, and Thompson.
By Wednesday afternoon, authorities reported that the wildfire was approximately 10 kilometers south of the community. The Bunibonibee Cree Nation, previously known as Oxford House, is situated approximately 577 kilometers north of Winnipeg and about 185 kilometers southeast of Thompson, Manitoba.
Up to six military Hercules planes have been enlisted to assist in the evacuation, shuttling residents out of the community. Notably, the military planes have the capacity to accommodate up to 75 evacuees per trip and are aiding in relocating individuals to Thompson and Winnipeg, before returning to the affected area to continue the evacuation process.
Jason Small, a spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross, iterated, "Our team is working with the community to help facilitate the safe evacuation of all individuals in need." The displaced individuals are currently being accommodated in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Thompson. Small passenger planes are also being utilized, transporting up to eight people to Thompson when necessary.
The Red Cross is collaborating closely with community leadership and Indigenous Services Canada to assist individuals with their return home, including coordinating flights if required.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, Manitoba's Wildfire Director Earl Simmons expressed concerns regarding the volatile nature of the forest surrounding the fire, characterized by dry trees in close proximity, coupled with the impact of prevailing winds. Simmons warned of the fire's "explosive growth," with the potential for the blaze to advance by approximately 7 kilometers in a single day.
Simmons underscored the challenges posed by the remote location of the community, necessitating the evacuation advisory issued by the province, urging residents to vacate the area by Thursday afternoon.
Notably, Manitoba's wildfire service is contending with a total of 71 active fires, with approximately 20 of them categorized as uncontrolled. Extreme hot and dry conditions have continued to trigger new wildfires, fueled by lightning strikes.
As the evacuation efforts progressed, it was reported that around 1,400 residents had been evacuated by noon on Thursday, with expectations of relocating an additional 1,000 individuals by the end of the day.
Simmons emphasized the need for additional firefighting support, signaling a call for reinforcements from other parts of Canada and the United States. Currently, 10 firefighters from Minnesota and Wisconsin are stationed in the province.
With the looming prospect of hot, dry weather persisting beyond Friday, compounded by concerns about winds propelling the wildfire towards the Bunibonibee Cree Nation, formerly known as Oxford House, Simmons acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge faced by firefighting crews, foreseeing the potential for rapid escalation in fire activity.
