Wildfire

The Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) says our province remains at a moderate to high fire danger level. Human activity, including arson, is contributing significantly to current wildfire conditions. As a result, critical firefighting resources are being diverted to respond to deliberately set fires, often in or near communities.

As wildfire smoke continues to blanket parts of southern Manitoba, health experts are urging residents to take extra steps to protect their lungs and overall well-being.

Juliette Mucha, President and CEO of the Manitoba Lung Association, says the situation has persisted for over a week.

“The winds are bringing it in, smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres,” she says. “We’ve had Air Quality Health Index days of 10-plus, which is very serious.”

Mucha adds that the health impacts can start small but become more serious with prolonged exposure.

As wildfire activity continues to impact northern Manitoba, the City of Portage la Prairie is once again preparing to welcome evacuees if the need arises.

The Portage Curling Club has been outfitted with cots and is ready to operate as a temporary shelter. While no evacuees have arrived so far, city officials say they have not received notification that any are currently en route.

Effective at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will downgrade the Fire Restriction to a Fire Advisory for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.

While the Fire Advisory is in effect, fire permits may be restricted.

Burning is not allowed when winds reach, or are forecasted to reach, 12 kilometres per hour or higher.

The Hamelin Creek Wildfire (GWF028), located in the Blueberry Mountain area, is still classified as Out of Control, at 5,557 ha, with approximately 67 km of perimeter fire guard to maintain.

The State of Local Emergency issued by Saddle Hills County has expired, as of June 23, 2025, at 6:25 p.m. and the mandatory Evacuation Order has been rescinded. The fire poses no immediate threat to residents, at this time. However, an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for all those in the vicinity of the fire (pictured) and residents should remain prepared, should conditions change.

Fire activity on the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire has continued to decrease, and the wildfire is now classified as Being Held, meaning it is not expected to spread beyond its current boundaries. As a result, the evacuation alert issued for residents north of Township Road 710 to 740, east of the British Columbia/Alberta border to Range Road 132 has been cancelled. 

The City of Grande Prairie fire ban has been downgraded to a fire restriction for all areas of the city, including annexed rural areas, as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18 due to improved, but still dry conditions.

Permitted activities:

·Propane and natural gas barbecues.

·Propane and natural gas firepits.

·Propane and natural gas appliances.

·Charcoal briquette barbecues.

·Indoor wood fireplaces.

·Residential fire pits with spark arrestor or screen.

Effective at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, the County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service will downgrade the Fire Ban to a Fire Restriction for the entire County, along with the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.  

UPDATE: June 11, 2025

Alberta Wildfire continues to respond to wildfire GWF040, located approximately 78 km south of Grande Prairie and 19 km east of Highway 40. The wildfire is estimated at 370 hectares in size, with firefighting crews, heavy equipment, and aircraft actively working in the area.

UPDATE: June 11, 2025

Overnight conditions reduced fire activity, but heavy smoke limited visibility, impacting planned operations. Today, progress continues on the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire as weather conditions are expected to improve. 

The size of the wildfire is 21,679 hectares. The evacuation order and alert issued by the County of Grande Prairie remain in effect. 

Operations