Bunibonibee Cree Nation evacuees can return home soon as wildfire now contained

Posted on August 29, 2024 by Peggy

A wildfire that forced thousands to evacuate a northeastern Manitoba community has been contained, but the leadership of Bunibonibee Cree Nation says for some, a return home could still be weeks away.

Residents of Bunibonibee Cree Nation can start planning to return to the community as soon as this weekend, the provincial government said in its latest fire bulletin, issued Thursday.

The fire, about 10 kilometres south of the community also known as Oxford House, now covers about 11,518 hectares, but is now listed as “being held” rather than “out of control.” Crews were targeting hot spots detected by scanning operations as of Thursday afternoon, the province said.

Bunibonibee Chief Richard Hart said community members are excited they can start preparing to return, after spending weeks away from their homes.

People stand at an airport with smoke billowing in the air — About 2,500 people were flown out of Bunibonibee in a military Hercules plane starting Aug. 13, as the fire approached the community. (Submitted by Mackenzie McCullough)

But he added that many will have to wait a bit longer before they can actually go back.

“I’m sure it’s going to be frustrating for a lot of people,” he said. “There’s only a limited amount of people that can go back.”

About 2,500 people were flown out of Bunibonibee in a military Hercules plane starting Aug. 13, as the fire reached the community’s doorstep. In the days following, many of the evacuees ended up in hotels in Winnipeg, almost 600 kilometres to the south, and Brandon.

Hart said they won’t be using the Hercules for the returns, but rather scheduled aircraft and smaller charters, meaning only about 150 people will be able to return per day.

The chief said the priority will be people who can look after essential services, including personal care homes and the community’s nursing station. After that, flights will open up to others.

He said firefighters are still working to put out the fire, so smoke will still be a concern over the next week or so. That means elders and other at-risk community members — who were the first to leave — will likely be the last to return.

“You try and get the elders back as quickly as possible, because they have been out the longest, and I think they’re the ones that … really need to get home,” Hart said.

“We have to try and balance medical issues versus the need to be home for a lot of people.”