Largest wildfire in Manitoba grows to over 300,000 hectares
Posted June 5, 2025 5:34 pm.
Last Updated June 5, 2025 8:41 pm.
With 27 wildfires continuing to burn across Manitoba, on Thursday, the province provided an update on the increasingly dire situation, specifically for the communities of Flin Flon and Sherridon, where a pair of fires have merged to form the largest blaze in the province.
“We have a number of fires that are in close proximity to communities, and all of these are considered out of control,” said Kristin Hayward, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Manitoba Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures.
“The largest fire in Manitoba right now is in the vicinity of Flin Flon and Sherridon. This fire came from Saskatchewan and is over 307,000 hectares on the Manitoba side.”
The growing inferno on the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border is one of several that remain out of control in the province, which has prompted the deployment of 650 people to support the firefighting efforts, along with over 175 firefighters from out of the province, including some from the United States.
“Thousands of Manitobans have been displaced from their homes and communities, and as a government, we have moved very quickly to give them safety and shelter,” said Lisa Naylor, the Transportation and Infrastructure Minister of Manitoba.
Minister Naylor confirmed, as of Thursday, that 359 evacuees remained at congregate shelters, with the goal of getting more people in hotel rooms.
According to the province, more than 1,700 rooms have been assigned so far in Winnipeg, with 200 more expected in the coming days.
Adding that financial relief is also on the way, in the form of a daily stipend for evacuees beginning on Thursday.
“All of that is being organised through the family’s department through our emergency social services. Most people should expect to have their cheques within three to five days of application,” said Minister Naylor.
To ensure all evacuees stay up to date with essential information, Manitoba has launched a new website that shows current wildfires, shelters, and evacuee services.
