By The Canadian Press
A wildfire burns in northern Manitoba near Flin Flon, as seen from a helicopter surveying the situation, May 14, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)
Another First Nation in northern Manitoba has sent some of its residents south, as smoke from nearby wildfires continues to be a health risk for vulnerable members.
The province said St. Theresa Point First Nation in the Island Lake region began evacuations this week.
The Canadian Red Cross said it had evacuated 152 people from the First Nation as of Friday.
St. Theresa Point joins four other communities in northeastern Manitoba that have moved elderly members, young children and people with respiratory issues.
More than 1,000 people from Wasagamack First Nation, God’s Lake First Nation, Red Sucker Lake Anisininew Nation and Manto Sipi Cree Nation were evacuated, the Red Cross said.
A full evacuation was completed last week in Marcel Colomb First Nation in the northwestern part of the province, as another wildfire encroached on the community.
The Red Cross said 209 people from Marcel Colomb have been evacuated.
The government said there have been 191 wildfires in the province this year, with 70 of them currently active.
Fire officials say that’s below the average of 277 for the same time in previous years.
