Fire Bulletin #21

Press Release

June 1, 2025

Due to the rapidly spreading wildfires and extreme fire conditions, Manitoba remains in a provincewide state of emergency. The Manitoba Wildfire Service (MWS) reports the area of extreme fire danger has expanded in the province today and human activity continues to significantly contribute to Manitoba’s current wildfire situation. There is a small chance of rain for some areas, but that could be accompanied by thunderstorms and the risk of more lightning starts.

The Government of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces continue the efforts to support the evacuation of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) and Pimicikamak First Nation and Cross Lake. Evacuation efforts are continuing with multiple agencies participating in the response along with community members and the local fire department.

With mostly dry, hot weather forecast this weekend across much of the province, Manitobans are urged to carefully follow all fire and travel restrictions. Level 3 fire and travel restrictions are in place across much of the province including all provincial parks and all burn permit areas (areas 1 to 22). A map of burn permit areas and further details can be found at: www.gov.mb.ca/conservation_fire/Restrictions/index.html.

This means:

• Backcountry travel is prohibited without a travel permit. Trails and water routes are closed.
• A full burn ban is in place. Campfires are prohibited even in approved pits.
• 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. To obtain a travel permit, call 204-345-1489.
• Aircraft use is permitted into lakes that have developed docks or shorelines.
• Licensed industrial operations are permitted with a travel permit. Work hours may be restricted to avoid peak burning times and require proper wildfire suppression equipment.
• 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.

Manitoba Parks advises a number of provincial parks remain closed. Check www.manitobaparks.com for details.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 25 active wildfires across the province, a total of 106 wildfires to date, well above the average for this date of 84 total fires. Fire of note include:

East region:

• Fire EA061, located one kilometre (km) from Bird River, is approximately 188,441 hectares (ha) and remains out of control. Provincial Road (PR) 315 is closed at Hill Road in the Bird River area, with no travel beyond that point to Nopiming Provincial Park and onward up to PR 314 and Bissett. Mandatory evacuation is now in place for Bissett. The evacuation order for the remainder of the Rural Municipality (RM) of Alexander was lifted at 10 a.m. today and residents have returned to their homes.
• Fire EA062, located six km from Lac du Bonnet, is approximately 4,008 ha and is under control.
• Fire EA063, located on the Ontario border near Ingolf, is out of control at approximately 5,060 ha on the Manitoba side of the border and approximately 31,300 ha in Ontario. This fire originated in Ontario and is numbered there as KEN#020.

West region:

• Fire WE015, located eight km from Cranberry Portage in the RM of Kelsey, is being held at approximately 28 ha.
• Fire WE017, located near Sherridon, is approximately 110,000 ha and out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Sherridon.
• Fire WE021/26, located near Easterville, is approximately 35 ha and is under control.
• Fire WE023, located eight km from Wanless, is approximately 1,400 ha and out of control. A voluntary evacuation order is in place for Wanless.
• Fire WE024, located near Flin Flon, is approximately 40,000 ha and out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for the Big Island, Schist Lake and Bakers Narrows, and the City of Flin Flon.
• Fire WE025, located near Pukatawagan (Mathias Colomb Cree Nation), is approximately 10,000 ha and out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Pukatawagan.

North region:

• Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is out of control and approximately 50,000 ha. A mandatory evacuation order continues for the Town of Lynn Lake.
• Fire NO005, located near Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 3,300 ha and out of control. 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 2,287 ha and out of control.
• Fire NO007, located two km from Wabowden, is approximately 88 ha and is under control.
• Fire NO010, located west of Split Lake, is approximately 4,000 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order continues for Tataskwayak Cree Nation (Split Lake).

Congregate shelters have been set up in Winnipeg, Thompson, Winkler, and Portage la Prairie. Provincial emergency social services (ESS) are working with partners to ensure people evacuating from northern Manitoba are able to find shelter. All evacuees who do not have a place to stay are asked to proceed to the reception centre staffed by 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 with the Canadian Red Cross as soon as possible. Registration can be done online at www.redcross.ca/2025manitobawildfires or by calling 1-800-863-6582 (toll-free) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. CST. If it is necessary for the Canadian Red Cross to contact evacuees, the contact information provided upon registration will be used. An email address allows the Red Cross to communicate more quickly and provide information with evacuees.

Registering ensures the province can allocate supports where they are most needed. In addition, it allows people to be contacted while away from home about information on services and assistance that may become available to them during this difficult time.

The public is advised that while donations and public support is appreciated, it should be coordinated through official channels, as the evacuation centres are not set up to receive them and uncoordinated drop-offs take staff away from their primary focus of helping evacuees.

For general health-care information in Manitoba or for information on a loved one who may have been relocated from their personal care home or hospital, call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

To locate a minor injury or illness clinic or an extended hours primary care clinic, visit www.gov.mb.ca/clinics/index.html. To locate a walk-in clinic, visit https://wrha.mb.ca/wait-times/walk-in-clinics. General health-care information and wildfire updates from Shared Health are available at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/news/wildfire-updates.

Indigenous well-being supports are available at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/news/wildfire-updates/indigenous-wellbeing-support.

Mental health information can be found at https://sharedhealthmb.ca/news/wildfire-updates/mental-health-resources.

In eastern Manitoba, some residents are allowed to return home but a significant wildfire threat remains. The province advises all returning residents must be prepared to evacuate with little notice and should 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.

Smoke and fires are impacting road conditions as well, check MB511 at www.manitoba511.ca for the latest road conditions and closures.

The Manitoba government’s provincial state of emergency, under the Emergency Measures Act, will remain in effect until June 26.

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. The current provincewide ban is for provincial lands and does not include federal land or municipalities. Manitoba municipalities are responsible for the implementation and maintenance of their local burning restrictions and are asked to contact the Office of the Fire Commissioner from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at firecomm@gov.mb.ca when implementing or changing the status of its municipal burning restrictions. Visit the Municipal Burning Restrictions Map at  www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire/burn_conditions.html for more information.

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.

ILR5