A provincial spokesperson says recent rain is allowing for more fire-related restrictions to be lifted in Manitoba.
Kristin Hayward is Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS). She says on Friday at 8 am, all provincial travel and burn restrictions will be lifted in our province, with the exception of backcountry travel within boundaries of an active fire. In those locations, a travel permit will be required. Having said that, Hayward notes municipalities have the ability to set their own restrictions.
"If folks are wondering if they are able to have a fire or travel in the backcountry in their area, they should definitely check with their local municipality and be aware of where the fire boundaries are to ensure they are doing that safely," suggests Hayward.
As of today, there are fire and burn restrictions in place for areas 1 to 5 and areas 8 to 22. Essentially this is most of Northern Manitoba, as well as the eastern portion of our province. In these areas, motorized backcountry travel, including ATVs and other off-road vehicles, is prohibited. Camping is also currently restricted to developed campgrounds.
"Now that the fire danger has reduced, there is less of a chance that those types of activities might result in the start of a new fire," suggests Hayward. "Also, we deem that it is relatively safe for people to access many areas that previously might have been threatened by an active fire."
One of the trails that has not reopened and will not reopen anytime soon is Mantario Trail.
"It remains closed and will indefinitely until we get in there to, I think assess it and Parks has an opportunity to make sure that it's safe for people to go there and they know what kind of condition the trail is in," adds Hayward.
As mentioned, Hayward says we have been receiving some rain in key areas in recent days. She notes Flin Flon and The Pas have already received precipitation, while Lynn Lake is expected to get rain this evening. In the eastern region, Hayward says the big fire in Nopiming Provincial Park has also seen some rain over the last few days.
"What that's allowed us to do is to make some really good progress on those fires, deepening our control lines, being able to take down some value protection work that we had done and just continue to shore up any areas or address hotspots that are areas of concern," she says.
And though there is more precipitation in the forecast, Hayward says there is also the potential for thunderstorms. As these thunderstorms roll through, Hayward says it will also probably be windy, but not too hot.
As of today, 18 wildfires are burning in our province and six of those are burning out of control. So far in 2025, there have been 131 fires in our province, which is behind the 20-year average of 138 by this date. More than 911,000 hectares have already burned this year.
Hayward says a lot of fires are now stable. She notes the fire at Bird River is "looking really good." Hayward says there are some trouble spots in the Wallace Lake area of that fire that crews are addressing.
Meanwhile, Christine Stevens is Assistant Deputy Minister for the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization. She says as of today there are 13 states of local emergency in our province and four communities remain evacuated, including Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Wallace Lake, and some areas of Nopiming. Approximately 6,500 Manitobans remain displaced. Stevens says gradual repatriation from Ontario is underway.
Manitoba continues to use the help of 263 out-of-province fire personnel. This includes 13 individuals from Newfoundland, six from Parks Canada, 97 from federal United States agencies, 47 from the United States state agencies, 60 from Quebec, and 40 from France.