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Members of the Association of Nigerians in Portage la Prairie recently joined evacuee support efforts at CanadInns, focusing their energy on a critical behind-the-scenes task: packing blankets for those displaced by regional wildfires.

A change in task, but not in plans

Their original plans had been to help give back by serving food, but the group adapted their plans after learning sufficient staff were already on hand for food service.

Adebola Adesanya, Secretary of the association, explained the shift in duties.

This year's wildfire season in Canada is shaping up to be the second-worst on record and federal officials are warning of a dangerous summer in parts of British Columbia.

Officials with several government departments held a technical briefing Thursday in Ottawa with an update on the state of multiple wildfires and its forecast for the coming months.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says some hotel owners in the province are not doing enough to help wildfire evacuees.

Kinew said on Thursday after touring some fire-hit areas that while a large majority of hotel operators have been great, some need to open up rooms as there are evacuees still sleeping in cots in emergency shelters.

About 21,000 people in Manitoba have had to evacuate including from Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and other areas.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew took to the air Thursday, touring and meeting with those dealing with scores of wildfires in his province, while in Saskatchewan thousands of fire evacuees were given the green light to go home.

“Just this morning, the premier was in Flin Flon meeting with the firefighters, the boots on the ground, including our American firefighters that are up there,” Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie told a wildfire update news conference.

Our province provided a favourable update this afternoon regarding the fire burning at Ingolf.

Kristin Hayward is Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS). She says the status of this fire in the Whiteshell has now changed from 'out of control', to 'held.'

"So, a good improvement on that fire there," says Hayward. "There's not a high risk of that fire to spread."

That fire was first detected on May 15th. Its cause remains under investigation. To date, it has burned more than 5,400 hectares on the Manitoba side of the border. 

After a smoky start to the wildfire season, Manitobans may finally catch a break as shifting weather patterns and expected rainfall are poised to improve air quality in the days ahead. 

Wildfire smoke has brought hazy skies to large parts of southern Manitoba, impacting air quality in recent weeks. Although previously the smoke was caused by wildfires in Northern Manitoba, Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says the hazy conditions this week drifted in from further west. 

As wildfires in northern Manitoba continue to burn and cause many to evacuate, firefighters in other parts of the province are stepping up to provide support. 

Trevor Schellenberg, Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Steinbach, says the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) issued a call for help to municipal fire services across the province. 

As thousands of wildfire evacuees continue to seek refuge in communities across the province, Morden-Winkler MLA Carrie Hiebert has launched a grassroots initiative to connect local residents with displaced families now staying in Winkler, Morden, and surrounding areas.  

A state of emergency remains in effect for the entire province of Manitoba, as the result of wildfires that continue to burn out of control.

According to the Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS), there are 26 active wildfires across our province. There have been 116 wildfires so far in 2025, which is more than the normal 105 for this time of year.

About 7,000 people in and around La Ronge, Sask., will be allowed to return home on Thursday after the lifting of a wildfire evacuation order, the director of the local emergency operation centre said Tuesday.

Lyle Hannan said residents of La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band can start going home on Thursday at 8 a.m.

Those deemed to work in essential services will be allowed to return sooner, he said.

Hannan said rain in the last few days helped crews contain the wildfire near the community.