Wildfire

As wildfires continue to burn out of control in northern Manitoba, animals are being left behind or brought to safety and displaced with nothing. 

To help comfort families and their furry friends, the City of Winnipeg Animal Services has opened up their facilities as a drop-off spot for animal food donations. 

As thousands of wildfire evacuees arrive in Winnipeg, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the First Nations Family Advocate Office have teamed up to collect much-needed items for families. 

To do this, they have organized a donation drive. 

"We are collecting new or gently used, clean items to help provide comfort and basic necessities to families who have been displaced and are facing uncertainty during this difficult time," said the First Nations Family Advocate Office. "Many have left their homes with just the clothes on their backs."

A ministry is asking for prayer after the Denare Beach location has been evacuated due to the wildfires in northern Manitoba. 

Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada shared on Facebook on Thursday saying, "Please join us in prayer for our Denare Beach Campus, which has been evacuated due to the threat of a nearby forest fire. We are incredibly thankful that all students and staff are safe."

The staff and students are now being temporarily evacuated to the Steinbach campus. 

The Canadian Armed Forces and Perimeter Aviation are working to evacuate residents from Cross Lake as an aggressive wildfire continues to threaten the Northern Manitoba community.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake) remains under a serious threat as a fast-moving wildfire burns dangerously close to the community. In a Facebook post Friday, Chief David Monias said the fire now has eight heads and is beginning to surround the area.

UPDATE: June 3, 2025

Monday, June 2, 2025, 4:15 p.m. – The Kiskatinaw River wildfire (G70422), burning southwest of Kelly Lake in British Columbia (BC), grew Sunday afternoon, but has not moved any closer to the Alberta border. BC Wildfire Service updated the size of the fire to 3,901 hectares from 3,043 hectares.  

Winnipeg's mayor is encouraging Winnipeggers to donate to the Canadian Red Cross as out-of-control wildfires in northern Manitoba force over 17,000 Manitobans to evacuate to Winnipeg. 

"We know many families are arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs," said Mayor Scott Gillingham. "Our job now is to make sure they feel safe, supported, and welcomed."

To ensure a smooth response, the city has activated its Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate facilities and services for incoming evacuees.

Winnipeg is ready and set as thousands of Manitobans flock to Winnipeg due to wildfires burning out of control in northern Manitoba.

The province is encouraging evacuees to stay with friends and family first. 

However, if that is not an option, a reception centre staffed by provincial Emergency Social Services and the Canadian Red Cross has been set up at the Billy Mosienko Arena, 790 Keewatin St.

The centre opened at 9 p.m. on Wednesday and will remain open until everyone has found a place to stay.

Update: May 28, 2025, 5:15 p.m.: The wildfire in Catherine Estates at 720075 Range Road 95, west of Saskatoon Mountain, is now under control.

County Regional Fire Service crews remain on site to monitor and extinguish any hot spots. Alberta Wildfire crews have left the scene.  

County Regional Fire Service and Alberta Wildfire crews are responding to a fire in Catherine Estates at 720075 Range Road 95, west of Saskatoon Mountain.

Manitoba has declared a provincial state of emergency as dozens of wildfires continue to burn across the province, threatening communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

An emergency alert issued Tuesday warns of rapidly spreading fires and extreme fire conditions, particularly in northern and eastern Manitoba, where several communities have already been evacuated or placed under evacuation alerts.

A rapidly growing wildfire near the Saskatchewan border in Northern Manitoba has prompted a mandatory evacuation order for the entire community of Flin Flon.

The wildfire, identified as Fire WE024, was first detected on Monday near the community of Creighton, Sask., and has since ballooned in size. As of Wednesday afternoon, the estimated area is 20,000 hectares and is now threatening the community.