SPLIT LAKE — A wildfire in northern Manitoba has destroyed seven homes in a day the chief and council of the local First Nation are calling "horrendous."
Officials of Tataskweyak Cree Nation say in a Facebook post that a fire that ignited northwest of the community on Friday was fanned by strong winds, and that approximately 175 residents have been evacuated east to Gillam, Man.
Tataskweyak was evacuated earlier in the fire season and had lifted the order in mid-June, but then had to push back the date when people could return due to problems with its water system.
It's not the only Manitoba community facing another evacuation — 600 residents of Lynn Lake have also been ordered out of their community for the second time this year due to wildfires after town officials said a fire was threatening Manitoba Hydro transmission line.
A large fire near Tataskweyak has been burning since late May and has been listed as out-of-control by Manitoba's Natural Resources department for most of the time since then.
It briefly changed to being held for a few days at the end of June before switching back to out-of-control.
"Yesterday, was an absolutely horrendous day," the Facebook post from the chief and council of Tataskweyak Cree Nation on Saturday said, noting that seven homes were destroyed.
"To the families that lost their homes … we understand being away, and finding out you no longer have a home is absolutely heartbreaking. We have no other words to say, but we will be here, to offer you support in any way we can."
Chief Doreen Spence livestreamed video on Saturday afternoon from a helicopter over the blaze. The video showed numerous smoke plumes, large and small.
The order to flee came suddenly. Spence posted a video Friday updating residents about water testing, when she noted that flames had jumped the fire line and strong winds were blowing the fire towards the community.
"If results are in our favour, then you guys will return home," Spence said about the water testing.
Not long after, she posted videos of smoke, and told people that the community's leadership had been told everybody had to leave.
"Gas up, pack your stuff, go to the band hall, or if you need a ride, you can message myself. The RCMP are knocking on doors here again, to make sure everybody is out of their homes," she said in a later video.
Manitoba has been experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years, and about 21,000 people were forced to flee their homes in June.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025.
The Canadian Press
