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As Manitoba faces one of its largest wildfire-related evacuations in recent memory, the City of Winkler is preparing to receive several hundred evacuees starting today. With thousands of people already displaced, local and provincial authorities are scrambling to find safe accommodations across the province.
Typically, evacuees are sent to larger cities like Winnipeg or Brandon. However, due to the sheer scale of this evacuation, yesterday, Winkler reached out to the province and Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) to offer assistance. Mayor Henry Siemens said the city offered its help proactively, recognizing the growing need.
"There's been over 17,000 people asked to leave their homes. That's a very big number to put anywhere, so we suggested that we had a community of people that would be prepared to step in and help."
Local support and resources
Mayor Siemens confirmed that the Meridian Exhibition Centre is being converted into a temporary shelter for several hundred evacuees. It will be closed to the public for the time being to ensure a safe and secure environment for incoming residents. The Canadian Red Cross is taking the lead on logistics and distribution of supplies, working in close coordination with EMO and local emergency coordinators.
The community’s response has been swift, says Siemens, “We’ve already had a number of church groups stepping forward to offer to help. Winkler Co-op came forward and said, ‘We’re going to help to the absolute best of our ability.’”
He added that the City of Morden has also offered support, including access to catering facilities at the Access Event Centre.
Related stories:
- Mayor of Flin Flon, Man., says fierce winds may cause wildfire to hit his city
- Manitoba declares provincial state of emergency as 17,000 flee fires in north
- City of Flin Flon issues emergency evacuation order as wildfire advances
Preparing for arrival
Several hundred cots have already been laid out, and many of the evacuees are expected to arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. The Red Cross is providing emergency supply kits and will manage most of the direct care for displaced individuals. City staff and trained volunteers are also on hand to assist.
Siemens says that while Winkler has never handled an emergency of this scale, its emergency preparedness training is now being put into action.
"We have very well-trained volunteers and staff who are prepared to step into this. They’ve practiced for events like this.”
Community programming and support
Efforts are already underway to make evacuees feel more comfortable during their stay. Mayor Siemens says that the city, in collaboration with other local groups, is working on organizing activities, particularly for children, to help create a more welcoming and less stressful environment.
"We don’t want people to be stuck inside a room full of cots. We want to try to find things that we can do to entertain, things that we can do to provide some options for people." Siemens said, continuing to say that those recreational and entertainment options are being planned and coordinated with the Red Cross and EMO.
Impact on local services
The temporary closure of the Meridian Exhibition Centre does mean that some community programming will be affected. While disruptions are expected to be minimal as it is a slower season, the city acknowledges this may inconvenience some groups who had made reservations.
"We’re sorry that those groups are affected," said Siemens, adding that the city believes this is the right decision given the broader emergency across the province.
How to help
Right now, Siemens says that the best way for residents to help is through financial donations to the Canadian Red Cross. Material donations are not being accepted yet, as needs are still being assessed.
This is untreaded ground for many living in Winkler, and Mayor Siemens closed with a call for kindness and understanding as evacuees settle into the city.
"We ask that people extend lots of grace and kindness to people who are scared, people who are vulnerable right now. They don’t know what they have lost or what they will lose. Try as best as possible to make sure that we’re as welcoming as we always are,” he said, “Let’s invite people to our community and let’s show them who Winkler is. And let’s show them our kindness and our love."
- with files from Mayor Henry Siemens and Charlotte Thiessen -