State of emergency to lift in Manitoba community threatened by wildfire

Multiple Manitoba communities have put fires bans in place due to hot and dry conditions. Michelle Gerwing reports.

Some Peguis First Nation residents will be allowed to return home after wildfires forced hundreds from their homes over the weekend.

The First Nation’s communications director Douglas Thomas confirmed in an email the state of emergency that has been in place since Sunday will be lifted Tuesday.

However, Thomas said a number of homes in the fire’s direct path will need to be assessed for smoke damage before people can return to them.

Fires near the community prompted about 350 people to evacuate to Selkirk and Winnipeg.

The First Nation adds that one home was lost in the fire, as well as several garages and outbuildings.

“From what I hear from Chief [Stan] Bird, his last updates were that the fire is under control,” said Chief Cornell McLean with the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council in a Tuesday morning interview.

“The main fire that was burning has been put out and that there’s just hotspots within the bush close to community homes.”

McLean noted that the fire was started by an ATV, adding that people need to be careful when it comes to these vehicles.

“It’s summer. Everyone wants to get out, but there has to be a different kind of activity to do rather than ride your [ATV],” he said.

Thomas said representatives from Manitoba Hydro are replacing damaged poles in the community and heavy equipment is plowing around homes to create fire barriers.

An update on Opaskwayak Cree Nation

According to Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), the wildfire that threatened that First Nation is mostly extinguished, though nearby communities may still experience some smokiness.

Manitoba wildfire crews will continue their firefighting efforts with the help of teams from The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

“Yesterday at our briefing with the chief and council, we were told that the fire by late morning was 90 per cent contained,” said OCN Councillor Edwin Jebb.

“It was contained because of the work of some helicopters, but more importantly, we had water bombers.”

The First Nation notes that the wildfire at Bracken Dam has been stabilized; however, hot spots remain near Turks and Martinson Roads.

Residents of Bracken Dam will remain evacuated until noon on Tuesday.

Jebb noted that he’s feeling hopeful as the weather has cooled down.

“I think we see relief in the forecast,” he said.

“And we have a really good system of coordination between the province and OCN and the RM of Kelsey and the Town of The Pas in helping our evacuees and putting out the fires.”

• With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé