Manitoba officials provide update on wildfires

Manitoba's officials are giving an update on the wildfires burning out of control across the province, forcing thousands out of their homes.

CBC News is livestreaming the news conference our website and on CBC Gem.

Manitoba Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister for the Conservation Officer Service and Manitoba Wildfire Service, and Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister for the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization, are expected to speak.

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson told CBC News earlier Thursday that worsening air quality has forced five more First Nations in Manitoba to start preparing the evacuation of vulnerable residents with medical conditions.

Four of those communities are in Manitoba's Island Lake region, about 470 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. The other community is Misipawistik Cree Nation, roughly 390 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

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While getting members with respiratory issues out promptly is a primary concern, the leaders of their communities want to ensure hotel spaces are available in southern Manitoba before they start moving residents, Wilson said.

The evacuation of other communities in recent days has been disorganized and unco-ordinated, Wilson said, with some people, including vulnerable residents with medical conditions, still waiting in line for accommodation or meals.

"Unfortunately we have no real involvement," Wilson said, with the Red Cross providing evacuation services to First Nations under an agreement with Indigenous Services Canada.

Wilson is calling for a regional emergency management strategy in which Indigenous communities have more participation than they do now.

"We need First Nations leadership to be involved in the decision-making, and the response time needs to be quick," she said.

Find the latest wildfire information:

• Canadian wildfire map
• Province of Manitoba fire bulletins
• CBC's wildfire tracker
• Communities under evacuation in Manitoba

Are you an evacuee who needs assistance? Contact Manitoba 211 by calling 211 from anywhere in Manitoba or email 211mb@findhelp.ca.