Red Sucker Lake First Nation evacuees to return home, other evacuees remain in hotels: Red Cross

A wildfire burns near Bloodvein First Nation in Manitoba in July 2021. (Source: Frank Young)

WINNIPEG — Some evacuees from the Red Sucker Lake First Nation are starting to return home after fires forced them from their community, but there is no word yet on when evacuees from other communities will be able to head back.

The Canadian Red Cross said more than 100 evacuees from Red Sucker Lake who had been staying in Brandon were set to fly back to their home on Monday. Another group of more than 100 residents who had been staying in Winnipeg is scheduled to fly back on Tuesday.

"The Red Cross is coordinating all flights back to the community," a statement from the Canadian Red Cross reads. "The evacuated people from Red Sucker Lake were all individuals with health concerns and their supports."

More than 2,500 people from five different First Nations in Manitoba had been evacuated due to the wildfires and smoke.

As of Monday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service reported 128 fires are burning across the province.

The Canadian Red Cross said as of Monday, evacuees from Pauingassi First Nation, Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Bloodvein First Nation, and Berens River First Nation are still staying in hotels in Winnipeg and Brandon.

There is no timeline for when they will be able to return.