Pimicikimak Cree Nation trying to get 767 out of northern Manitoba community as wildfire closes in

CBC

29-05-2025

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A wildfire is at the threshhold of Pimicikimak Cree Nation, choking the air with smoke, as the northern Manitoba community's leaders work to get 767 people out.
"Many that couldn't get out because the junction at Highway 374 and Highway 373 is their lifeline to Norway House, and now it's being compromised by the fire and the smoke," Chief David Monias said Thursday morning.
Pimicikimak had started a precautionary evacuation Friday as wildfires impacted air quality. Residents were flown out from the airport in the community, about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg on the shores of Cross Lake, but high winds and dry conditions worsened the situation this week.
Without notice, flights were cancelled Wednesday, just as Monias issued a full evacuation order, telling the remaining 6,500 residents to head south to Norway House Cree Nation.
That community is under an evacuation notice, but not yet an order.
Hundreds of vehicles and buses took people to the ferry for the final crossing to Norway House, but the bottleneck meant some waited up to nine hours, without food or water, Monias said.
Some of them turned back and are now part of the remaining group trying to evacuate.
"It's very smoky here [and] it's getting thicker, because the fire's at our doorstep. The sky is black, but we don't see any flames," Monias said Thursday.
He's trying to get answers from the Canadian Red Cross and federal government about the flight cancellations, he said.
"I declared a state of emergency for my people, and that was not recognized and was not respected. We see the fire, we smell it, we sense the fear. People are running out to Norway House without anything at all," he said, thanking the leaders in Norway House for welcoming his people.
"We're here, wondering what's going on."
The plan for today is to see if more people can get across to Norway House, if the highway is still passable.
"If not, then we have to see if they can get the Canadian Armed Forces to have planes land here to pick up people," Monias said.
People also need to be picked up from Norway House and taken to Winnipeg, he said.
"We're doing our best to try and take care of everybody and keep them safe," Monias said to those who have left the community and are worried about the people still there.
"I'm sorry about what you have to go through, leaving your community and some of your loved ones. I apologize, but we're doing our best."
Those in Pimicikimak are among 17,000 expected to be evacuated as fires intensify in both northern and eastern Manitoba.
Premier Wab Kinew on Wednesday evening declared a provincewide state of emergency.
Evacuation orders have also been issued for Flin Flon, Lynn Lake, Pukatawagan Cree Nation (also known as Mathias Colomb First Nation), Marcel Colomb First Nation and Sherridon.
In addition to Norway House First Nation, Chemawawin Cree Nation (Easterville) is under an evacuation notice, with people ordered to be ready to leave.
The majority of the evacuees will head to Winnipeg and will be housed at large facilities such as community centres, soccer fields and arenas, Monias said.
Late Wednesday night, the province said a reception centre for evacuees is being set up at Billy Mosienko Arena on Keewatin Street and it will remain open all night.
The City of Winnipeg said Century and Eric Coy arenas will also be made available to the province and Canadian Red Cross. Effective immediately, programming and rentals at those two arenas, along with Billy Mosienko, are cancelled until further notice.