The Canadian Red Cross is trying to get as many planes as possible to help evacuate people from three First Nations threatened by smoke from nearby forest fires.

Shawn Feely with the Red Cross told reporters today they're working to source planes and pilots to speed up the evacuation.

 

 

Feely says the planes they're using are relatively small due to the size of the airstrip. He says they're averaging 40 to 45 people per plane. They're expecting to evacuate a total of about 3,700 people from Wasagamack, St. Theresa Point, and Garden Hill. A 77,000 hectare forest fire is burning just 800 metres from the nearest residence in Wasagamack.

Evacuees are being taken to Brandon first and then Winnipeg once hotels there are full up. Feely says there's a concern as far as hotel room availability.

 

 

Wildfires are also burning near Poplar River and Fox Lake First Nation. About 800 Poplar River residents were evacuated earlier this month.