Evacuations and containment efforts continue as wildfires burn across Manitoba

Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have offered some relief, but multiple out-of-control wildfires continue to pose threats across Manitoba.

One of the most serious fires is burning just six kilometres from Lac du Bonnet and has grown to approximately 4,000 hectares. A residential evacuation order remains in place, and two lives were lost earlier this week.

“There’s still concerns about the northeast and northwest end, as well as the southeast end,” said Loren Schinkle, reeve of the RM of Lac du Bonnet. “There’s a lot of hotspots in that area. They have crews in there working on those. Obviously Mother Nature has assisted us a little bit with precipitation and cooler temperatures making it easier for those working on the front lines.”

Schinkle says crews are working to improve containment efforts.

“They’re trying to set up some further containment inside the contained area with some equipment in there because there’s some flare-ups on the peat moss side that are burning,” he said. “And because of that they won’t allow us to modify the evacuation zones, so we just ask for continued patience from our residents so we can ensure the proper safety is in place on their end, and we can get them back in there as soon as possible.”

To the northeast, another fire—estimated at 100,000 hectares—is now just one kilometre away from Bird River. Highway 315 is closed and blocked at Bird River, and Highway 314 is closed at Bissett. The Bernic Lake mine has been evacuated, and all residents in impacted areas have been relocated. Value protection is being established where it is safe for crews to operate.

Meanwhile, a separate fire near the Ontario border, also around 4,000 hectares in size, is affecting Whiteshell Provincial Park. That fire began in Ontario but has crossed into Manitoba. An evacuation order remains in effect.

Another fire near Peguis First Nation is being reported at 316 hectares and is now classified as under control.

In total, there are 16 active wildfires burning across the province.

For the latest updates and official information, residents are encouraged to visit the provincial government’s wildfire information page.

“We just ask for continued patience from our residents so we can ensure the proper safety is in place on their end, and we can get them back in there as soon as possible,” said Schinkle.