Skip to content
Français

Manitoba Wildfires Response 2025

Clouds and smoke in the sky as community members prepare for an evacuation due to wildfires in Manitoba.
Photo: Chris Kepron / Canadian Red Cross

Support to Small Businesses Program
Recovery Grants
Financial assistance for early recovery
Canadian Red Cross response
Additional resources
Guide to Wildfire Recovery
Mental health and well-being resources

Wildfires and the resulting wildfire smoke in Manitoba resulted in the evacuation of several communities across the province.

The Canadian Red Cross worked closely with Indigenous leadership and provincial and municipal governments to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by the wildfires in Manitoba.


Support to Small Businesses Program

The Canadian Red Cross recognizes that support to small businesses is essential to the recovery of people and communities impacted by the wildfires. The Red Cross is offering financial assistance to eligible small businesses that were directly impacted by the wildfires. Visit our program page for more information about eligibility requirements and the application process.
 

Recovery Grants

The Canadian Red Cross is offering grant funding to fire departments in eligible communities to support recovery from the wildfires and to strengthen their capacity to respond to future wildfire events. Visit our grants page for more information about available grants.


Financial assistance for early recovery

Thanks to donations to the 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal and matching funds provided by the Province of Manitoba, we distributed one-time financial assistance for early recovery to households that received emergency financial assistance while they were evacuated due to the wildfires. This financial assistance program is now closed.

FRAUD ALERT: Unfortunately, there are some people who may try to take advantage of those impacted by a disaster through fraudulent tactics. The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link through a text message for a person to click on to receive funds. We will never ask for your social insurance number, bank account information, or credit card number during your registration or to receive assistance. The Canadian Red Cross encourages people to stay informed from credible sources, such as the Government of Canada’s website for fraud prevention tips. If you suspect you have been a victim of fraudulent activity, please contact your local police authority.

Canadian Red Cross Response*

As part of its emergency support to people evacuated due to wildfires in Manitoba, the Canadian Red Cross has:

  • Registered more than 32,700 people from over 12,600 households evacuated due to the wildfires in Manitoba. This includes people from more than 7,400 households on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada, and more than 5,200 households on behalf of the Province of Manitoba.
  • Secured more than 2,600 hotel rooms for evacuees in Manitoba.
  • Coordinated the scheduling of flights and buses and engaged with other partners to secure modes of transportation for the arrival of people being evacuated into Winnipeg and for those now returning home, where possible.
  • Provided health-related support to more than 4,900 people who had been evacuated, including health referrals and transport to medical appointments.
  • Operated three congregate shelters in Winnipeg.
  • Provided emergency lodging, food, personal services, well-being supports, and supplies including diapers, formula, snacks, cots, blankets, pillows, and hygiene items at congregate shelter sites.
  • Deployed outreach teams to provide registration, information and well-being support to those staying in communities without a reception centre, including Dauphin, Swan River, Portage La Prairie, Gimli, Hecla, Selkirk, and Pinawa.
  • Provided emergency supplies such as cots, blankets, and generators, for an additional 12 shelter sites in First Nation and non-First Nation communities in Manitoba for supporting evacuated communities, as requested.
  • Assisted the province with shelters they ran in Portage la Prairie and Winkler, by providing cots, blankets, and food services to support people.
  • Provided urgent supplies for communities that remain in place, such as food, air purifiers and other requested equipment.
  • Mobilized more than 1,000 Canadian Red Cross volunteers and employees to support the Red Cross response to wildfires in Manitoba.
*Figures provided are as of September 29, 2025.


Tools to help with recovering from an emergency

After wildfires

  • Review the step-by-step Canadian Red Cross Guide to Wildfire Recovery for information on what to do when you return home after wildfires.
  • Home Inventory Checklist: a list of your home inventory which is helpful both for insurance and other assistance programs. In the case of an insurance claim, an insurance provider would use a similar form to assess the cost to repair or replace lost or damaged items. These items are referred to as home contents.
  • Substantial Repair and Reconstruction Contract Checklist: Hiring a contractor for damage or rebuild? Use this checklist with tips as a guide when reviewing the contract prior to signing with a contractor.


Mental health and well-being resources

Emergencies affect our wellbeing and mental health, disrupting our routines and access to social support. Individuals, families, and communities can be impacted with little warning and recovery can seem overwhelming. Review the guides below and reach out for help and support for yourself and your loved ones.

How to access help in times of crisis

If you experience reactions that make it difficult to function normally over a long period of time, seek help. One option is to contact your local health facility, or a local crisis support line. For immediate assistance anywhere in Canada, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.

National Support Resources