Dry winter means wildfire preparations must begin immediately: northern Manitoba leaders
Heightened fire risk prompts renewed calls for all-weather roads
After a dry winter, preparations for wildfire season need to begin immediately, northern Manitoba leaders say.
Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Cree Nation doesn't want a repeat of the situation his community of more than 7,000 people faced in May 2023, when they were given three hours to evacuate because of a nearby fire.
"You feel a certain sense of helplessness," Monias said, recalling how residents had to leave the community, about 525 kilometres north of Winnipeg, by any means, including school buses, medevac aircraft and their own vehicles.
"That was scary," he said, describing how many had to drive through the night to reach safety. "It was very frightening for most people."
The Manitoba government has already warned widespread dry conditions might lead to a higher wildfire danger across the province in the coming months.
After a winter that was drier than normal for most of Manitoba, Monias says he wants the province and the federal government to start getting equipment and personnel in place.
"[A fire] could spread fast and we also need to make sure that there's adequate resources that are available to us, like right now," he said.
Climate change concerns
Climate change has only heightened his concern.
"Climate change is really affecting the weather conditions," he said. "It's a lot warmer. We had a real dry winter this year and therefore there's not hardly any precipitation or snow."
Two of those communities have road access, he said, but added that doesn't make the threat of an evacuation any easier for residents.
He wants to see more all-weather roads built in northern Manitoba so people aren't forced to evacuate by air or boat.
"The infrastructure that's in the north is not conducive to healthy living," he said. "We are appealing to Canada and Manitoba to help us proceed with construction of all-season roads.
"It will contribute to the mental well-being of our people, the physical safety and will contribute to expanding the economic opportunities that our people have," he said.
"There's so much that can be gained from those roads."
Monias says increased road access is a crucial, but long-term step. He doesn't think the Manitoba government has taken the wildfire threat as seriously as it should.
"To me it's dangerous, but to them it doesn't seem to be as dangerous," Monias said. "They know their fires, but at the same time, we know our people need to be protected."
Monias said he would like to see more proactive monitoring for wildfires, so communities like his have more warning if they have to pack up and leave.
In a statement, a Manitoba government spokesperson said it is in the process of identifying priority areas for the start of wildfire season.
It has seven water bombers ready for the fire season, but those can't be used until lakes are free of ice.
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