WINNIPEG – Thousands of Manitobans remain out of their home communities due to wildfires.
With recent cooler weather — accompanied by rain in some areas — there has been no word of additional evacuations.
But the 13,000 residents of Thompson are still being told to be ready to evacuate if necessary as the forecast calls for drier weather and strong winds.
The Canadian Red Cross is already housing evacuees in Winnipeg.
It also has cots at the ready in a cavernous room inside the RBC Convention Centre in the city’s downtown should more evacuees arrive.
The building can house thousands of evacuees and officials say it has additional space for support services.
“The building is large enough to be able to host a number of community partners … and also provide culturally safe spaces for elders to do ceremonies,” Melanie Soler, the group’s vice-president of emergency management, said.
Manitoba is experiencing its worst wildfire season in 30 years, and more than one million hectares have burned.
Fires remain out of control near evacuated communities such as Lynn Lake, Marcel Colomb First Nation, Garden Hill First Nation and Leaf Rapids.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025
