Returning Home: updates from Pimicikamak Cree Nation amid wildfires
Preparations in progress for evacuees' return to Pimicikamak Cree Nation
After weeks away, residents of Pimicikamak Cree Nation are eagerly awaiting the chance to return home, but they've been warned that more evacuations might be on the horizon this summer.
"We're all itching to get back to our hometown," says Pimicikamak Chief David Monias, speaking in a recent video posted on his Facebook page. He acknowledges the frustration and the hardships of being away, assuring his community, "I understand how you feel."
In the video, incident commander Caleb Finch shares the latest updates on the ongoing operations. Crews are all hands on deck these days, with plans in place for burnout operations coming up on Thursday and Friday, designed to clear away flammable vegetation.
Finch explains that the recent cool and cloudy weather has made the work easier, but hotspots remain. "As the weather starts to warm up and becomes slightly drier," he warns, "you'll start to see smoke on the edges around the perimeter."
Despite this, Finch is optimistic. The Manitoba Fire Service predicts that the wildfire near Pimicikamak Cree Nation will slow in growth over the next 10 to 12 days, yet he cautions there's still "a lot of fire season left" in northern Manitoba, and it's possible that evacuations could be needed later.
According to the latest Manitoba fire bulletin, the wildfire currently stands at approximately 58,800 hectares and continues to remain out of control. No official return date for evacuees has been set.
In the face of this uncertain situation, the resilience of the people of Pimicikamak Cree Nation shines through. As Chief David Monias signs off, he reminds his community, "We will get through this together."
Sources: 1. CBC News. (2025, March 30). Pimicikamak Cree Nation evacuation order extended due to wildfire threat. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/pimicikamak-evacuation-order-renewed-1.5734672 2. Global News. (2025, June 8). Wildfires across Manitoba may force evacuees near Cross Lake to stay away longer. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://globalnews.ca/news/8679280/manitoba-wildfires-cross-lake-evacuation/ 3. Manitoba Government. (2025, May 10). Manitoba declares fire emergency due to increasing wildfires. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.gov.mb.ca/news/?item=52106 4. Winnipeg Free Press. (2025, June 10). Q&A: Curtis Huntingdon on Cross Lake fire threat, restoring hope. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cross-lake-evacuees-seek-answers-on-fire-threat-572504411.html
In the video shared by Pimicikamak Chief David Monias, Caleb Finch, the incident commander, discusses the ongoing wildfire operations and the planned burnout operations. He also sheds light on the influence of weather patterns on the fire's behavior, stating that hot spots remain despite the recent cool and cloudy weather, and as the weather warms up and becomes drier, smoke might be visible around the perimeter. In general news, there are forecasts suggesting that the wildfire near Pimicikamak Cree Nation may slow in growth over the next 10 to 12 days, but the situation highlights the need for continued environmental-science studies concerning the impact of wildfires on the region.
