Bunibonibee wildfire evacuees anxious to return home, or at least leave emergency shelter

Members of a rural community in northeastern Manitoba were still anxiously awaiting proper accommodations this weekend, days after a fire forced thousands to flee their homes.

Thousands living in Bunibonibee Cree Nation were forced to leave their homes starting last Wednesday as a wildfire approached the community.

About 2,500 people had been moved to Winnipeg and Brandon, the First Nation says. Many ended up taking temporary refuge at the University of Winnipeg's RecPlex recreation centre, where about 150 people were still waiting to be moved to hotels as of Sunday afternoon.

"People are very tired and we can't sleep at night," Donald Weenusk said. "And you worry about your community back home, hope the fire doesn't reach there."

"We want to go back home already," said Weenusk's daughter, Lora. "We need accommodations because it's been hectic for the last few days."

The fire was about 10 kilometres south of the community as of Friday afternoon. Its flames had consumed more than 10,000 hectares of land as of then, according to the province.

Chief Richard Hart said on Sunday it didn't seem to have moved closer amid favourable wind conditions, and as firefighters worked to contain it.

Hart said he hopes it's fully contained in two to three days, but even after that he still doesn't know when people will be able to return home.

"The fire still poses a danger ... to people if winds change and high amounts of smoke come into the community," Hart said.

"My biggest stressor has been taking calls every two to five minutes from very frustrated people with their families that have been at the shelter now for the third day.… They're not getting rest at the shelter. And I think the biggest priority is to ramp up the efforts to get rooms for these people."

WATCH | Bunibonibee evacuees in Winnipeg still waiting for proper accomodations:

Signs posted outside the centre's doors on Sunday advised people there was room for about 60 in a hotel in Portage la Prairie, Man. Still, it warned families with children in diapers and people with high needs were not eligible, as no Red Cross services or infant supplies were available there.

Another sign said that as of Monday, doors will close at 10 p.m., with no one being allowed in after.

On Saturday, several people told CBC News they didn't know how long they would have to wait at the emergency shelter.