mbwildfires2025

A provincial spokesperson says recent rain is allowing for more fire-related restrictions to be lifted in Manitoba.

Kristin Hayward is Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS). She says on Friday at 8 am, all provincial travel and burn restrictions will be lifted in our province, with the exception of backcountry travel within boundaries of an active fire. In those locations, a travel permit will be required. Having said that, Hayward notes municipalities have the ability to set their own restrictions.

Most of Manitoba remains at a low fire danger, with the exception of the northwest area, which is at a high fire danger. 

Buses carrying residents from the northern city of Flin Flon were being loaded up Wednesday morning, preparing to bring them back after a menacing wildfire forced thousands to flee weeks earlier.

"Welcome home to everyone," Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk said in a Facebook video Wednesday morning.

"Can't wait to have you back in community."

Buses began leaving Winnipeg and Brandon before 10 a.m., a schedule posted online showed. Residents staying elsewhere could expect to leave for Flin Flon later Wednesday, while some travelled back on their own. 

Recent precipitation has lowered the fire danger across most of Manitoba. However, pockets of high fire danger continue in the northwest and southern parts of the province. 

According to Manitoba Wildfire Service, approximately 4,800 evacuees from the city of Flin Flon will start returning home on Wednesday, when the mandatory evacuation notice is lifted at 9 am. 

Manitoba has lifted its provincewide state of emergency. 

Premier Wab Kinew announced that as of Monday at noon, the state of emergency under the Emergency Measures Act has been rescinded as many Manitobans have started to make their way home. Kinew says though we are still in a very serious situation, battling the wildfires is something that can be done through "normal government powers." He adds it is important to have a light touch when it comes to something as serious as declaring a state of emergency. 

The Manitoba government has officially lifted the province-wide state of emergency declared in response to this spring’s wildfire crisis, citing improved conditions and the work of front-line responders.

Premier Wab Kinew and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, Minister responsible for the Emergency Management Organization, announced today, noting that while the overall risk has eased, some local evacuations remain in effect.

Some wildfire evacuees staying at a shelter in northern Manitoba may be moved elsewhere as more communities return home and the government closes temporary evacuation centres.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said roughly 114 people have been staying at the shelter in Thompson for the past three weeks due to a shortage of hotel spaces.

"Folks have been there a really long time, and that was never the intention," Naylor told a wildfire briefing Thursday.

Manitoba remains under a state of emergency. However, travel and fire restrictions were eased in our province this morning.

Kristin Hayward is Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS). She says Manitoba is at a moderate to high overall fire danger today. Hayward says there are sections of high fire danger across some of the forested areas. She adds a few pockets have low to moderate fire danger where precipitation has brought moisture levels up. 

Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) is easing some fire and travel restrictions beginning Thursday morning.

According to our province, recent rainfall and a full green-up have helped reduce the fire risk in some parts of Manitoba. Other areas remain at high risk, with significant fire suppression operations continuing and restrictions still in place.

Effective Thursday at 8 am, areas 1 to 5 and areas 8 to 22 will be at Level 2 (area 1 includes everything from Provincial Road 302 to the Ontario border and south of the Trans Canada Highway). This means: 

Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) is easing some fire and travel restrictions beginning Thursday morning.

According to our province, recent rainfall and a full green-up have helped reduce the fire risk in some parts of Manitoba. Other areas remain at high risk, with significant fire suppression operations continuing and restrictions still in place.

Effective Thursday at 8 am, areas 1 to 5 and areas 8 to 22 will be at Level 2 (area 1 includes everything from Provincial Road 302 to the Ontario border and south of the Trans Canada Highway). This means: