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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.

The Rural Municipality of Piney has now issued an evacuation order for the townsite of Woodridge as the wildfire known as EA057 continues to spread.  

Crews worked to notify residents shortly after the notice was issued at 7:20 Wednesday evening. 

Police have recovered the bodies of two adults, believed to have died as the result of wildfires in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet. 

On Wednesday at approximately 9:15 am, Lac du Bonnet RCMP recovered two bodies, believed to be an adult male and adult female, just off Wendigo Road. It is believed that both adults succumbed to injuries sustained in the wildfire.

RCMP were made aware on Tuesday that these individuals were trapped in the fire. However, due to extreme conditions, emergency personnel were not able to reach their location until Wednesday.