1,000 Garden Hill wildfire evacuees arrive as Winnipeg shelters overflow. Leaders urge government to provide hotels for safety and dignity.
Evacuation Intensifies as Wildfire Nears Garden Hill
Over 1,000 additional evacuees from Garden Hill First Nation began arriving in Winnipeg on Saturday as wildfires continue to threaten the remote northeastern Manitoba community. A total of 1,800 residents have already been relocated since a mandatory evacuation order was issued on Thursday. Local leadership is now calling for urgent federal and provincial intervention to provide safe, dignified accommodations for those displaced.
Shelters Overwhelmed Amid Growing Displacement
Garden Hill Vice-Chief Craig Munroe confirmed that the current shelter at the Garden City soccer complex is overcrowded. The facility, intended for short-term emergency use, is struggling to accommodate evacuees, including vulnerable populations such as children, Elders, and infants. “It’s loud, people can’t sleep, and the conditions are not ideal,” Munroe said. “We need to get our people into hotels.”
Government Aid Urged as Situation Deteriorates
The evacuation follows Manitoba’s declaration of a wildfire-related state of emergency. Garden Hill, a fly-in community approximately 475 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, faces an encroaching blaze that has already consumed roughly 2,500 hectares. Leaders are urging all levels of government to provide additional hotel space and logistical support to protect evacuees from further distress.
Evacuees Struggle With Uncertainty and Health Risks
Community members report deteriorating conditions at the shelter. Charles Knott, an evacuee who secured a hotel room for his wife due to medical concerns, has been delivering supplies to his grandchildren still housed at the complex. “It’s heartbreaking,” Knott said. “Kids are getting restless. People are sleeping on cots. There’s no privacy.” A community donation centre on Arlington Street is collecting diapers, baby formula, and other essentials.
Smoke Grounds Planes, Threatens Health of Frontline Workers
Thick smoke on Saturday prevented a Hercules military aircraft from landing at the Garden Hill airstrip, further delaying evacuations. Meanwhile, over 1,200 firefighters, council members, and emergency staff remain in the community to monitor the advancing blaze. “They’re getting sick from the smoke. Some have lung infections,” said Munroe. “We urgently need ground support and medical aid.”
Community Leaders Coordinate from Winnipeg Command Centre
A temporary command centre has been established at a Winnipeg hotel where Garden Hill leadership is coordinating logistics, resource distribution, and community care. Efforts are underway to prioritize hotel rooms for Elders and young children. “We’re doing everything we can,” Munroe stated. “But without more government help, our people will continue to suffer in unacceptable conditions.”
Background and Outlook
Garden Hill is located on a peninsula on Island Lake and is only accessible by air. The wildfire continues to grow and shift rapidly, raising fears it could encircle the community. Residents are deeply concerned about the fate of their homes and land. “If the wind turns north, it could hit the heart of our community,” Knott warned.
As the crisis escalates, leaders stress the need for an immediate, coordinated response to protect the health and dignity of their people.
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