Smoke from out-of-control wildfires force 100s out of their homes in Pimicikamak Cree Nation

More than 300 people living in Pimicikamak Cree Nation have been forced out of their homes this weekend as smoke from an active wildfire threatens the health of vulnerable residents.

The First Nation has made arrangements to evacuate high-priority residents, which includes the elderly and people with respiratory issues.

Five planes have taken evacuees out of the First Nation as of Saturday night, Chief David Monias told CBC. 

At least 216 people were taken to Winnipeg, which is about 530 kilometres south of the First Nation, while 86 evacuees went to Thompson, Chief David Monias said in a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday.

"We're trying to get these people out as fast as possible before the wind changes," Monias said.

An out-of-control wildfire burning a few kilometres southwest of Pimicikamak has reached 1,500 hectares in size, the most recent fire status report from the province showed Friday.

A five-hectare wildfire, also considered to be out of control, is burning about 50 kilometres southwest of the First Nation. 

Shirley Robinson, an executive council member at Pimicikamak, said the wildfires are encroaching on the community from both sides. 

"People are anxious, they are afraid, they are worried," she said. 

A few years ago, a wildfire in Manitoba's Cross Lake region forced everyone out of Pimicikamak, Robinson said, but the evacuation had to be completed in just under three hours.

Now, "some people really wanted to self-evacuate because of all the worry." 

Two of Robinson's grandchildren and her daughter are among the evacuees. 

"My mind has been with my twins," she said.

Both were born with respiratory issues, and one of them was recently discharged from hospital.  As a grandmother she is worried, but she choosing to staying in the community at the front lines, helping get the word out about the evacuations.