Fire threatens Marcel Colomb First Nation, Lynn Lake

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This article was published 26/06/2018 (2684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A growing forest fire in northern Manitoba has forced the total evacuation of Marcel Colomb First Nation and a voluntary evacuation of the town of Lynn Lake.

The fire, which the province has classified as “out of control,” is nearly 10,000 acres in size, and was caused by lightning, according to Manitoba Sustainable Development’s fire report.

Four fire crews are on the ground and four water bombers are attending to the fire, which is within 10 kilometres of the First Nation and 15 km of Lynn Lake, a department spokesman said Tuesday. Marcel Colomb is approximately 1,000 km northwest of Winnipeg.

Initially, 97 Marcel Colomb residents headed to Lynn Lake on Sunday night, said Andrew Colomb, who served as the First Nation’s chief from 2003 to 2015.

On Monday, the Canadian Red Cross got involved and provided lodging, food and personal goods to the evacuees. On Tuesday, they were transported by bus to Thompson as the fire moved closer to Lynn Lake.

The Town of Lynn Lake issued a voluntary evacuation order for anyone with chronic health concerns or breathing difficulties, as well as pregnant women and infants. Even though the fire hasn’t yet reached the communities, the smoke poses health concerns, which pushed Marcel Colomb leadership to order an evacuation. (According to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, the First Nation has a registered population of roughly 440 living on- and off-reserve.)

James Fielder, the chief administrative officer of Lynn Lake, said the town is on standby for any additional evacuations, although “evacuation is not imminent.” If Thompson’s hotels fill up with evacuees from Marcel Colomb, potential Lynn Lake evacuees would then go to Winnipeg, Fielder said.

However, if smoke and ash get too close, the town of about 500 residents will also begin to consider evacuation, Marcel Colomb band councillor Sarah Copapay said, following a meeting Tuesday.

Jason Small, Red Cross communications manager for Manitoba and Nunavut, said the organization is supporting the evacuees and will provide hotel rooms in Thompson. The Red Cross will also provide food vouchers as needed, he said.

Meanwhile, in Thompson, acting fire chief Mike Bourgon said the city is prepared for the evacuees’ arrival.

“This is common. We deal with this on an annual basis, and have never had problems,” said Bourgon, adding forest fires near Thompson aren’t a concern for the fire department at this point, either.

Thompson city manager Gary Ceppetelli said although the community doesn’t have a direct role in the evacuation process, it has been following the protocol set by the province and the Red Cross.

The city is prepared to house the evacuees in local hotels, he said, however additional evacuees from nearby communities would likely be diverted to other cities, such as Winnipeg, should the fire force more evacuations.

Manitoba’s Office of the Fire Commissioner, as well as the provincial emergency social services, have been made available to Lynn Lake, according to a provincial release.

Nineteen new fires started Monday, bringing the total number to 270 in Manitoba so far this year; the average number of fires over the past 20 years by this date is 197.

Meanwhile, more than 450 residents of Pauingassi First Nation, who’ve been in Winnipeg since being forced from their homes by wildfires in late May, are scheduled to return home Wednesday, the Red Cross announced.

Pauingassi residents were supposed to return Monday, however an issue at the local water-treatment facility delayed the process. Technicians have since made the needed repairs.

epindera@freepress.mb.ca

bwaldman@freepress.mb.ca