A mass emergency evacuation is underway in northern Manitoba as approximately 17,500 residents from several First Nations communities scramble to reach safety amid escalating wildfire threats.

Four First Nations communities are currently undergoing full-scale evacuations, while two others remain on high alert. The rapidly spreading wildfires have cut off key access routes, further complicating evacuation efforts.

In Pimicikamak Cree Nation, the community’s airport has been rendered non-operational due to the proximity of wildfires. With the main highway also blocked by fire, Chief and Council are urgently coordinating the airlift of thousands of residents to safety.

Marcel Colomb First Nation and the nearby community of Sherridon have already been evacuated. Mathias Colomb Cree Nation is now in the process of evacuating as wildfires threaten to sever the few remaining escape routes. The community’s airport is inaccessible, and train services have been suspended due to the fire threat.

The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) is actively supporting the emergency response and has issued a strong appeal to the Manitoba provincial government to declare a province-wide state of emergency.

“With high temperatures forecasted in the coming days, we expect fire behaviour to intensify,” said MKO officials. “Hotels accommodating evacuees are already at capacity, and additional support is urgently needed to house and care for displaced residents.”

MKO has also called on members of the hotel industry across the province to make rooms available to assist during this crisis.

The situation remains fluid as authorities race against time to safeguard affected communities from the growing wildfire threat.