Fire Bulletin #18

Press Release

May 29, 2025

The Manitoba government has declared a provincial state of emergency (SOE) under the Emergency Measures Act due to rapidly spreading wildfires and extreme fire conditions. The SOE is in effect until June 26.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) reports large areas of very high-to-extreme fire danger persist throughout the province today and human activity continues to significantly contribute to Manitoba’s current wildfire situation. In response to this elevated risk, effective 8 a.m. May 30, MWS is imposing Level 3 fire and travel restrictions for the entire province within the burn permit area (areas 1-22). This means:

• Hiking trails and water routes are closed.
• Watercraft is restricted to landing and launching at developed shorelines only. Shore lunches are prohibited.
• Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds only. Wayside parks are open.
• Lodge access is permitted to main lodges. Access to outcamps and outfitters and commercial operators in backcountry areas must obtain a travel permit. Conditions may apply.
• Aircraft-use is permitted into lakes that have developed docks or shorelines.
• Industrial operations licensed fire-safe operations are permitted. Work hours may be restricted to avoid peak burning times.
• If access to the industrial operation requires travel on a non-designated or unrecognized road, travel permits will be issued under the discretion of the local conservation officer, taking into account the situation and fire hazard conditions.
• All burn permits are cancelled, no permits will be issued at this time.
• Burning exceptions for industry and agricultural purposes may be made with inspection from an officer.

To obtain a travel permit, call 204-345-1489. Refer to the fire and travel restrictions map for further details and information at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation_fire/Restrictions/index.html.

Manitoba Parks advises Bakers Narrows Provincial Park campground is closed. All campers, including seasonal campers, must leave the campground by 8 p.m. Thursday, May 29.

As of 8 a.m. Friday, May 30, hiking trails and water routes in all provincial parks will close until further notice.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) continues to respond to 22 active wildfires across the province, a total of 103 wildfires to date, well above the average for this date of 80 total fires. Fires of note include:

East region:

• Fire EA061, located one kilometre (km) from Bird River, is approximately 124,238 hectares (ha) and remains out of control. Provincial Road (PR) 315 is closed and blocked at Poplar Bay Road in the Bird River area, with no travel beyond that to Bird River and onwards up to PR 314 and Bissett.
• Fire EA062, located six km from Lac du Bonnet at approximately 4,008 ha is under control.
• Fire EA063, located on the Ontario border near Ingolf, is out of control at approximately 3,771 ha on the Manitoba side of the border and approximately 31,276 ha in total size. This fire originated in Ontario and is also numbered as KEN#020.

West region:

• Fire WE015, located eight km from Cranberry Portage in the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, is being held at approximately 40 ha.
• Fire WE017, located 14 km from Sherridon, is approximately 40,000 ha and out of control.
• Fire WE021/26, located near Easterville, is approximately 35 ha and out of control.
• Fire WE023, located eight km from Wanless, is approximately 1,400 ha and out of control.
• Fire WE024, located two km from Flin Flon, is approximately 37,959 ha and out of control. There is a mandatory evacuation alert for the city of Flin Flon.
• Fire WE025, located near Pukatawagan, is approximately 9,785 ha and out of control.

North region:

• Fire NO002, located near Lynn Lake, is out of control at approximately 7,064 ha.
• Fire NO005, located near Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 3,290 ha and is out of control. PR 373 is currently closed as a result of this wildfire. There is a mandatory evacuation alert for the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake and Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
•  Fire NO006, located five km from Cross Lake, is approximately 1,500 ha and out of control.
• Fire NO007, located two km from Wabowden, is approximately 37 ha and out of control.

The province advises a significant wildfire threat remains in eastern Manitoba and all returning residents must be prepared to evacuate with little notice. It is recommended all residents prepare an emergency go kit. More information on emergency preparedness, including what to include in an emergency go kit, is available at www.gov.mb.ca/emo/guide/individuals/.

Many municipalities have proactively implemented burning restrictions this spring, so check with the local municipal office or view the interactive burning restrictions map at www.manitoba.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.html for more information. No burning permits will be issued for areas within or bordering any municipality where burning restrictions are already in place.

Evacuees who do not have a place to stay are asked to proceed to the reception centre staffed by provincial Emergency Social Services (ESS) and the Canadian Red Cross at Billy Mosienko Arena, 709 Keewatin St., Winnipeg. This centre will be open 24 hours until further notice.

All evacuees are encouraged to register as soon as possible online at www.redcross.ca/2025manitobawildfires or by calling 1-800-863-6582 (toll-free) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. CST. Registration with the Canadian Red Cross ensures people can be contacted while away from home and can be reached with information on services and assistance that may become available to them during this difficult time. Registration also helps the province ensure it can allocate supports where they are most needed.

For further information on the Manitoba Wildfire Service, situation updates, restrictions and other important wildfire links, go to www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/ or follow the Manitoba government on X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/mbgov.

To report a wildfire, call 911 or the TIP line toll-free at 1-800-782-0076.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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