Norway House Cree Nation is asking everyone in the community to sign up for the Alertable system to get emergency notifications during a difficult wildfire season. The push comes as the First Nation deals with its own fire threat and helps evacuees from another community.
A wildfire on Fort Island sparked a state of emergency on May 29, 2026, forcing about 400 people to leave their homes. That fire is now roughly 80 hectares and is being held, but the risk remains. Meanwhile, Norway House has taken in many residents from Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), who were ordered to evacuate on May 28.
Chief Larson Anderson said the current danger to Norway House is mostly from smoke, not flames. Poor air quality led to the evacuation of more than a dozen residents from Pinaow Wachi personal care home. They were flown to a Winnipeg facility by Canadian Armed Forces C-130 Hercules aircraft. The military says it has moved more than 3,500 people out of fire zones across Manitoba.
Throughout the crisis, official updates have been shared through the NHCN Emergency Response Facebook page and the Alertable system. Alertable sends free alerts by text, phone call, email, or through a mobile app. It can warn about fires, evacuations, and other public safety issues.
Manitoba has 17 wildfires burning, with six out of control. The province declared a provincewide state of emergency. Norway House imposed a total fire ban on May 25 because of extremely dry conditions. Last year, Manitoba had its worst wildfire season ever, with two people killed and dozens of homes lost.
Residents and visitors can sign up for Alertable at alertable.ca to get critical updates right away.
