mbwildfires2025

The Adult and Teen Challenge campus in Steinbach has welcomed a number of evacuees who fled the wildfires in Saskatchewan. 

In the aftermath of one of Manitoba’s most destructive wildfire seasons in recent memory, communities across the north are facing devastation—none more so than the people connected to the Teen Challenge locations in Denare Beach and Flin Flon. Al Legore, Regional Director for both sites, is among those now displaced and waiting in uncertainty as flames continue to ravage the region. 

Last Friday, Portage la Prairie opened its doors to more than 250 wildfire evacuees from northern Manitoba. As evacuation demands and limited space continue to challenge the province, the city has stepped up to offer shelter and solidarity during these uncertain times.

More areas of the Whiteshell reopened this morning.

According to Manitoba Environment and Climate Change, the following areas of South Whiteshell reopened this morning for residents, cottagers and operators:

• Caddy Lake - Blocks 6, 7, 8, Island Block, Green Bay Resort
• West Hawk Lake - McDougall's Landing, Big Island Landing, Indian Bay

The following areas remain closed:

Smoke from wildfires burning out of control in Manitoba and Saskatchewan has reached across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to the United Kingdom's Met Office, the smoke has reached the UK.

"You may have observed that recent sunrises & sunsets appear unusually vivid and there is a general haziness in the sky, this is due to smoke from Canadian wildfires," said the Met Office in a post on Twitter.

A wildfire growing near Lynn Lake has reached the edge of town. 

In a post on Facebook on Monday, the town announced that the fire had reached behind the airport and was advancing rapidly due to extreme wind conditions. 

"It crossed into the area around the hospital and destroyed several abandoned buildings nearby," said the town. 

Thanks to quick and coordinated efforts, emergency crews were able to protect the hospital and surrounding properties, and crews remained at the site throughout the night. 

Update June 3 - 10:00 am

This morning reports have come in that Denare Beach has fallen to wildfire.  This devastation weighs heavily on those who have lost their homes and businesses.  Also, the loss of the Adult & Teen Challenge men's campus.

June 3, 2025

Former pastor couple at the Killarney Calvary Baptist Church, Darryl and Cindy Hartwig, have made their home in Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, working with Adult & Teen Challenge Canada.

Portage la Prairie opened its doors, and hearts, last week as evacuees from northern Manitoba arrived after being displaced by fast-moving wildfires. With more than 260 people from communities like Flin Flon, Cross Lake, and Pukatawagan temporarily resettled in local hotels, residents and organizations in the City of Possibilities wasted no time stepping in to meet their needs.

As wildfires continue to displace thousands across northern Manitoba, the City of Winkler remains on standby, prepared, but so far unused. Despite converting the Meridian Exhibition Centre into a full-scale evacuation shelter in recent days, no evacuees have yet arrived. 

Wendy Klassen, assistant city manager for Winkler, says the city has not received an official directive to receive evacuees and remains in a holding pattern. 

Busses were seen outside of CanadInns Portage around 4PM this afternoon.

Some evacuees appeared to be waiting on board, with more waiting outside the front entrance of the hotel.