First Nation buys $8-million generator after long wildfire evacuations

Mathias Colomb Cree Nation purchased an $8-million emergency generator system after months-long evacuations during the 2025 wildfire season; leaders say provincial and federal requests for temporary power were not answered.

Mathias Colomb Cree Nation in northwestern Manitoba says it arranged private financing and purchased an $8-million emergency backup generator system after prolonged evacuations during the 2025 wildfire season. The community says residents were evacuated in May 2025 and many could not return home for months because of power outages linked to damaged transmission lines. Leaders reported they sought temporary generators and other help from provincial and federal authorities but received no response. The band now seeks a provincial order to have Manitoba Hydro connect the new generators to the local distribution system. Key details: - The community was evacuated in May 2025 during a provincewide wildfire state of emergency and experienced one of the longest displacements that summer. - About 2,200 residents reportedly could not return when the evacuation order was lifted because of a lack of power. - Mathias Colomb purchased four semi-trailer-sized generators as an emergency backup, at a reported cost of $8 million. - Regional Indigenous leaders said 11 evacuees from Mathias Colomb died before community residents could return, and they have urged governments to support and connect the generator system. Summary: The purchase is intended to provide local emergency power and reduce the risk of future long displacements after wildfire-related outages. Community leaders have asked the province to order Manitoba Hydro to connect the generators so they will be available in future outages. Undetermined at this time.