Plans changed
Creighton's Kristina Tetreault was just heading back into town from the Pas Mb last Wednesday when she heard the mandatory wildfire evacuation message on the radio.
Tetreault is a 35-year resident of the community that borders Flin Flon on the Saskatchewan side of the border. Her family, including her mother, son, and grandson, all live there. She works for the Bakers Narrows Provincial Park (BNPP). Instead of going directly to the BNPP head office, like she had planned, she went straight home and started packing.
"We had about an hour and a half between the time that the mandatory evacuation was set and the time that the RCMP started checking homes that people were out and evacuated."
After getting all their personal and important belongings packed, including their pets and supplies, she and her husband, Ken, went over to her mother's house in Flin Flon. Her mother doesn't drive, so they went there to help her pack and took her and her dog along with them.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic
They started the long trip South at about 5 pm Tetreault said it was bumper-to-bumper traffic out of town. A trip that would normally take an hour and a half to get to the Pas took three hours.
"It was good, though, because nobody seemed panicked. It was very orderly. There were no traffic jams. People were letting people in, people were letting people out, it was very organized actually, considering you're evacuating seven, eight to ten thousand people."
Before they left Creighton, Ken called his parents in Morden to let them know they had been evacuated and were heading out on the road.
"And they said, 'Not a problem. You guys get your butts here as quick as you can.' We drove through the night. We finally made it to Morden at about 4:00 in the morning. So, it was a long day.”
Arriving in Morden
She described the feeling of arriving at their new temporary home.
"Relief. I wanted to get some sleep, but it's still always in the back of your head, 'What's happening at home?' and 'Are we going to have a home to go back to?' Basically, we're planning for the worst and hoping for the best."
She added, "Stuff can be replaced; people can't." When talking about worrying too much about the situation.
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A warm welcome
Tetreault is very grateful for a place to stay with her in-laws and the food they have provided. Even the neighbours have brought baking and food over. There was one thing they realized they needed once they got here.
"I realized that with just throwing stuff into bags, you get here, and you realize, 'Oh well, I didn't bring any pants,' or 'I didn't bring any shorts.' My mom didn't bring a jacket. My grandson was basically packed up with two outfits, and off he went with his dad."
Gratitude
Luckily, they found out about the evacuation centre set up at Winkler's Meridian Exhibition Centre, where they were able to get some clothing.
She expressed her gratitude for the local firefighters who have gone to fight the fires in Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
"Yeah, there's been personnel from actually all over the country that have been sent to help out. So that's wonderful. And the resources have been great as far as trying to get us out, and trying to get us all back home, and trying to keep everybody safe. Hearts, and prayers, and everything go out to all the ones that are trying to save our homes in our towns."
Donations can still be made to the Canadian Red Cross 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal here.