A Mitchell man who owns and operates Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre in Pinawa, says urgent help is needed to care for evacuees who are coming to stay on site.

Kevin Penner says he spoke with the Red Cross Thursday morning, and learned evacuees were being sent to Ontario and beyond because of space issues in Manitoba.

"(They) said they're in desperate need for space, so we opened our doors to 100 First Nations people," he says. "They're actually coming from St. Theresa's point. The people that are most needed to be evacuated are the elderly, and nursing moms."

Also among those arriving, he says, are those suffering from smoke inhalation and various medical conditions.

Penner says there are 143 guest rooms available at the facility, with large meeting rooms and a dining ro

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