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Hundreds of Manitobans have had their power restored sooner than expected after a devastating wildfire season.
Several areas of the province, including Leaf Rapids, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation/South Indian Lake were restored on September 9 and 10. While Marcel Colomb First Nation and Lynn Lake are being re-energized on Thursday.
The power restoration comes two to four weeks sooner than expected because of the hard work from the hundreds of Manitoba Hydro employees, contractors, and mutual aid partner SaskPower.
"Favourable weather, reduced wildfire activity, well-planned logistics ensuring adequate supplies of material, and well-equipped camps to house crews near work locations helped expedite repairs," Manitoba Hydro said in an email release.
“These communities have been under terrible strain due to this devastating wildfire season,” Manitoba Hydro Vice-President, External and Indigenous Relations, Environment and Communications Jeff Betker said in a news release. “We’re pleased we’ve been able to restore power, much more quickly than initially thought, without compromising safety.”
More than 2.1 million hectares burned starting in May and some fires are still burning. Several Manitoba Hydro poles and other equipment were destroyed. As soon as repairs could begin, Manitoba Hydro began. The cost of the restoration effort is estimated to be $32 million.
The 2025 Manitoba wildfires are the worst the province has seen in decades.
“The tremendous efforts of our staff cannot be understated,” Manitoba Hydro Vice President of Operations Quinn Menec said in a news release. “They’ll be proud to know they have safely helped communities recover a little more quickly from the wildfire crisis.”