More than 2,000 residents from two First Nations and a town in northern Manitoba who had to evacuate due to wildfires this summer are now heading back home after spending several months in hotels during one of the province’s worst wildfire seasons in decades.
Don McCallum, the chief administrative officer of Marcel Colomb First Nation, expressed the community’s relief at being able to return home after an unexpectedly prolonged evacuation period that lasted the entire summer.
Marcel Colomb, which had been evacuated since early July, and Pukatawagan (also known as Mathias Colomb First Nation), evacuated since late May, have finally lifted the two longest-standing mandatory evacuation orders in the province, allowing residents to start returning to their communities in northwestern Manitoba this week.
Similarly, the Town of Leaf Rapids, located about 150 kilometers northwest of Thompson, is also concluding its wildfire evacuation that has been in effect since July 8.
McCallum shared the challenges faced by evacuees from Marcel Colomb, highlighting the stress and isolation experienced during the two and a half months they spent in Brandon hotel rooms. The return was delayed due to over 200 burned hydro poles, leaving the First Nation without power until it was restored last week.
As Manitoba Hydro completed power restoration, residents began returning to Marcel Colomb, with approximately 100 residents already back and more expected to return by the weekend’s end. In Pukatawagan, over 1,700 evacuees are set to return throughout the following week, marking a bittersweet moment as the community has sadly lost 12 members during the evacuation period.
Both Marcel Colomb and Pukatawagan had to wait for Manitoba Hydro to restore power before the evacuation orders could be lifted, with Pukatawagan’s leadership even purchasing generators to prevent further delays in the return process.
Meanwhile, in Leaf Rapids, essential services are gearing up for the return of approximately 300 evacuees after the town’s wildfire evacuation is coming to an end. However, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of notice for restocking grocery stores and managing spoiled food ahead of residents’ return.
Residents returning to Leaf Rapids will be assisted with cleaning kits and advice from public health staff, as efforts are made to support the community after a challenging period of evacuation. The province is actively working on supporting returning residents, including reviewing the disaster financial assistance program to aid those facing uninsurable losses.
The latest fire situation report from the province indicated that the Manitoba Wildfire Service is still responding to 89 active wildfires, with a total of 429 fires recorded this season, surpassing the average for this time of year.
