Wildfire forces evacuations on Mathias Colomb Cree Nation: Red Cross

People on Mathias Colomb Cree Nation are being forced from their homes as a wildfire threatens the northern Manitoba community.

So far, about 65 people have been moved out of the community, with 40 now in The Pas and another 25 sent to Thompson, saidCanadian Red Cross spokesperson Jason Small.

Several more people are lined up for evacuations on Friday, some of whom will be sent to Winnipeg, he said.

The Red Cross is supporting the First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada with the evacuations. As well, Minister of National DefenceAnita Anand, along withMinister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair,noted on social media that the Canadian government sending military help tosupport the evacuations.

Many of the people in The Pas were already there for various reasons and preparing to return when the evacuations went into effect, according to Small.

"So instead of coming back in on the train they just stayed."

Those sent to Thompson on charter flights were deemed to be highest priority, based on health concerns, he added.

Manitoba's online wildfire map shows an out-of-control blaze about 1,800 hectares or 18 square kilometres in an area nearthe community of Pukatawagan. Thatupdate was from Wednesday, when the province says the fire was detected. The cause is listed as natural.

Community member Leo Sinclair said the air around his home was smoky on Thursday after the evacuation notice was announced earlier in the day.

"There's a bus going around and there's people standing on the main road. And [the] fire department is going around to get everybody to get flown out," Sinclair said over the phone.

"It was really blowing [and] windy yesterday. That's when it got worse."

Missinippi Airways said on Facebook Thursday afternoon it would not accept new reservations or freight until the fire situation in the community was under control. It also cancelled all flights on Friday.

The northern Manitoba air charter service said it was working with partners to help evacuate the community.

Small said the Red Cross would make more information available about the situation "in due course."

The remote community is about 710 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.