mbwildfires2025

Wildfires in eastern Manitoba are causing significant damage to powerlines, resulting in power outages.

Peter Chura, a media relations officer with Manitba Hydro, says about 500 homes were without power as of Thursday morning due to blazes in the area.

"It's still a little bit difficult to put in a time of restoration on that because we're just accessing the areas where we've seen a lit of damage," he says, noting that damage includes burnt and fallen poles, powerlines, transformers, and other equipment.

A couple in West Hawk Lake are holding to hope as they are evacuated from the area due to a wildfire.

"Things are looking fine on our end, like the south," says TJ Harder, co-owner of Tallpine Lodges in the area.

He says on Wednesday night, a lot of smoke blew in, but otherwise it's been relatively normal—aside from, of course, an evacuation order the province recently put out.

As firefighters work tirelessly to control the wildfires threatening the Rural Municipality of Piney, residents are stepping in to help protect their communities. 

Josh Verhoog of Moonshadow Holsteins in St. Labre says he first noticed trouble on Tuesday. 

Cabin owners in southeastern Manitoba are holding their breath as wildfires continue to rage through the Rural Municipality of Piney. 

Hartung’s family cabin at risk 

Joel Hartung, who has a family property near St. Labre, says the fire has come dangerously close to their cabin. 

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew declared a state of emergency Thursday to aid the evacuation of a provincial park due to wildfires, one day after the bodies of two people were found in the ashes.

Kinew did not provide details about the man and woman who died in the fire in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, a popular lakefront cottage area northeast of Winnipeg.

But he said the deaths mean officials are taking the danger seriously and want additional powers to enforce evacuation orders.

The Rural Municipality of Piney says Wednesday night's rain was not enough to ease any evacuation orders. 

Evacuation notices have been issued and completed for the following locations:

"This will be a May long where we're asking for rain."

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew made that comment Thursday morning in addressing the current fire situation in our province.

Periods of rain brought some relief to parts of southeastern Manitoba Wednesday night, but fire officials say it was not enough to lift evacuation orders in the region as wildfires continue to burn. 

Border Land School Division (BLSD) officials are keeping an eye on the wildfire burning in the RM of Piney around Carrick, Badger, St. Labre and Florze.

While none of the people evacuated from Carrick or Badger are students or staff from the division, that is not the case for staff living in Woodridge who were evacuated Wednesday evening, noted Superintendent Krista Curry. She says the division has told staff and families to stay safe and follow evacuation orders, adding they'll be checking in with those affected to see how they can be supported.

Border Land School Division (BLSD) officials are keeping an eye on the wildfire burning in the Carrick/Badger area.

While none of the people evacuated from Carrick or Badger are students or staff from the division, that is not the case for staff living in Woodridge who were evacuated Wednesday evening, noted Superintendent Krista Curry. She says the division has told staff and families to stay safe and follow evacuation orders, adding they'll be checking in with those affected to see how they can be supported.