mbwildfires2025

Our province has announced that more of the Whiteshell will reopen, beginning tomorrow.

More and more of Whiteshell Provincial Park is reopening, though wildfires continue to burn out of control. According to Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS), Crowduck Lake and Big Whiteshell Lake will reopen for permanent residents, cottagers, and commercial operators beginning Wednesday at 8 am. 

In recent weeks, the province's wildfires have forced the evacuation of a significant number of people in the province. 

Manitoba is urging tourists to reconsider visiting as it works to find shelter for a flood of wildfire evacuees now reaching 21,000.

“This is one of the largest evacuations in our province’s history,” Lisa Naylor, the Manitoba minister in charge of emergency management, said Monday.

“The government anticipates there may be a need for more hotel rooms as the wildfire season continues. For that reason, we are urging Manitobans and Canadians to reconsider non-essential travel and event plans within Manitoba."

The province has provided an update on the current wildfire situation.

Manitoba is currently facing one of the largest wildfire-related evacuations in its history. As of today, 28 wildfires are burning across the province, with 10 still classified as out of control. So far, there have been 114 wildfires reported. 

Manitobans have once again proven the power of community.

On June 5, more than 30 radio stations across the province joined forces for the first-ever Manitoba Day of Caring for Wildfire Evacuees, a province-wide broadcast initiative to support those displaced by wildfires.

A recent uptick in black bear sightings along Highway 26 near St. François Xavier has raised questions about why the animals are venturing closer to roads and residential areas. According to wildlife experts, the answer likely lies in the early start to wildfire season across Manitoba.

This spring has seen frequent and intense wildfires, which disrupt natural ecosystems and force bears out of their usual habitats in search of food, safety, and territory.

Motivated by compassion for families displaced by Manitoba wildfires, Grade 11 students in Portage Collegiate Institute's (PCI) Student Leadership program swiftly organized a fundraiser, collecting $155 in just one afternoon. 

As the funds went to the Canadian Red Cross, this amount was tripled by the Provincial and Federal governments, resulting in a $465 donation to support evacuees currently staying in the community.

A class discussion sparks action

The initiative sparked during a class discussion, where students felt compelled to act.

Prairie wildfires developed on two fronts Friday, as 1,000 more Manitoba residents were forced to flee their homes and Saskatchewan RCMP charged two people with starting blazes.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe told a news conference that one charge relates to starting a fire near La Ronge, which has forced 7,000 people from the area.

“The RCMP have informed us that they have now charged a couple of individuals,” Moe said.

An 18-year-old woman from Montreal Lake Cree Nation and a 36-year-old man from Pelican Narrows each face one count of arson, said RCMP.

Just days after a wildfire destroyed its men’s campus in Denare Beach, Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada says more of its properties are now in jeopardy as fire conditions worsen.

The organization confirmed the complete loss of its Denare Beach campus on Tuesday, June 3. That included vital equipment such as a newly acquired truck, septic truck, and trailers—resources used to support recovery and training programs for men overcoming addiction.

The Town of Snow Lake has issued a mandatory evacuation order, requiring all residents to leave by noon on Saturday, June 7, as a massive wildfire threat looms.

The order follows a prior evacuation alert and was announced at noon Friday.

Approximately 1,100 people live in the northern Manitoba community, which is now under threat from three wildfires that have merged into a single, massive blaze. According to the City of Flin Flon, the fire spans an estimated 140 kilometres in length and five kilometres in width.