Media Information Update: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Wildfires

In this issue: 

• Preparedness
• Fraud Alert
• Registration numbers
• Assistance provided
• Donation updates
• Photos of Red Cross response in Saskatchewan
• Broll of emergency shelter in Winnipeg
• Useful resources for people impacted by wildfires

Preparedness:

The Red Cross urges people to follow directions from their local authorities and to take the necessary steps to stay safe.

• Families living in areas on evacuation alerts should be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice.
• The Red Cross recommends people set aside an emergency kit with items such as drinking water, food, cash, and a portable radio to self-sustain their household for at least three days.
• Additional resources on what to do before, during, and after a wildfire can be found at redcross.ca.

Fraud Alert

Individuals eligible for financial assistance will NOT need to provide their social insurance number, bank account information or credit card number during their registration or to receive assistance. In addition, the Red Cross will NOT ask for any form of payment in order to receive assistance.

The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link through a text message. If anyone has any doubts about the legitimacy of any form of communication from us, please reach out to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross encourages people to stay informed from credible sources, such as the Government of Canada’s website for fraud prevention tips. For anyone who suspects they have been a victim of fraudulent activity, please contact the local police authority.
 

Manitoba Wildfires

On behalf of the Province of Manitoba, and through a standing agreement with Indigenous Services Canada, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting people and communities impacted by evacuations in Manitoba.

As of June 16, Pimicikamak Cree Nation began returning home and the Red Cross is providing support for transportation including flights and buses. Clean up kits and other items are being provided for the return to community, as requested.

Registration numbers

As of June 18, the Canadian Red Cross has registered more than 21,900 people from more than 9,000 households evacuated due to the wildfires in Manitoba. This includes people from more than 4,400 households on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada, and more than 4,500 households on behalf of the Province of Manitoba.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance is being provided to evacuees by either the Canadian Red Cross or the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO).

Financial assistance for individuals living in a First Nation community that is under mandatory evacuation order is being distributed by MKO.

On behalf of the Government of Manitoba, financial assistance for households evacuated from municipalities and non-First Nations communities is being distributed by the Canadian Red Cross.

The Government of Manitoba has determined funding amounts and eligibility for financial assistance, available for households that:

• Are permanent residents of Manitoba;
• Have a primary residence in a municipality or a non-First Nation community that has been placed under a mandatory evacuation order due to wildfire or smoke, issued on or after May 23, 2025;
• Have registered with the Canadian Red Cross; and
• Had their identity validated through the Canadian Red Cross.

The Red Cross began processing financial assistance to households on June 7. We continue to work closely with the province to resolve exceptional cases and validate eligibility. We understand this may be a stressful time and our teams are working as quickly as possible to distribute financial assistance to eligible households.

Answers to frequently asked questions related to financial assistance can be found here.

Ongoing support

The Canadian Red Cross is assisting with the transport, comfort and care of people impacted by wildfires, and is:

• In Winnipeg, operating one reception centre with standby shelter space, if needed, as remaining individuals are being provided with available hotel rooms.
• Providing emergency lodging, food, personal services, well-being supports, and supplies including diapers, formula, snacks, cots, blankets, pillows, and hygiene items at congregate shelter sites.
• Working directly with all impacted communities to support health, mental health, and wellbeing needs of evacuated community members in Manitoba. That includes providing non-clinical Health Navigators to help support people impacted by the wildfire evacuations with access to health support they need, as well as providing designated areas for child-friendly spaces.
• The Red Cross has provided registration, information and well-being support in Brandon, Thompson and Winnipeg.
• 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, as requested.
• Provided urgent supplies for communities that remain in place, such as food, air purifiers, and other requested equipment.
• Secured more than 2,400 hotel rooms for evacuees in Manitoba (as of June 18). 

Donations

As of June 20, the Canadian Red Cross has raised $6.2 million for the 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal. This amount does not include matching funds from the Government of Canada or the Government of Manitoba.

 

Saskatchewan Wildfires

The Canadian Red Cross, is working closely with Indigenous leadership as well as federal, provincial and municipal governments to support individuals, families and communities impacted by the wildfires in Saskatchewan. The support offered to date has been at the request of community leadership and through a standing agreement with Indigenous Services Canada.

Registration numbers

As of June 19, the Canadian Red Cross has registered more than 11,400 people from more than 4,100 households evacuated due to the wildfires in Saskatchewan.

Assistance Provided

As of June 16, members of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation have returned home with the exception of those whose homes have been damaged, or they are unable to return to community because of wildfire risk. Community members who have damaged homes or are unable to return to community due to wildfire risk will continue to receive support in Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Support includes accommodation, meals, and personal services.

As of June 12, Lac La Ronge Indian Band leadership lifted the evacuation order for Hall Lake, Sucker River, La Ronge, and Stanley Mission and coordination is underway for a safe, phased return of community members who do not have priority health needs. Community members with priority health needs will return home when it is safe to do so, as determined by community leadership.

To assist with the comfort and care of people being evacuated, the Canadian Red Cross has:

• Welcomed people at twelve reception centres and operated three congregate shelters in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina.
• Provided mobile outreach services for people in Lloydminster, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Regina, North Battleford and Unity.
• Secured more than 1,100 hotel rooms in Saskatchewan for those who were evacuated.
• Provided food and supplies, such as cots, blankets, and pillows, to additional locations upon request from community leadership.
• Starting on June 12, the Canadian Red Cross has been supporting members of Lac La Ronge Indian Band and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation as they return to community. That support includes prepaid cards to support transportation needs for the return home.

Donations

As of June 20, the Canadian Red Cross has raised $2.3 million for the 2025 Saskatchewan Wildfires Appeal. This amount is inclusive of donations pledged or received and does not include matching funds from the Government of Canada. Matching funds will be applied to the total amount as they become available to the Canadian Red Cross at a later date. The donation total also does not include the funds committed from the Government of Saskatchewan for the Canadian Red Cross to work with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to assist those most impacted by the wildfires. The application of those committed funds is currently being discussed and will be determined by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.

Helpful Resources

Media-ready photos of the Canadian Red Cross wildfires response in Saskatchewan
B-roll available of emergency shelters in Winnipeg. Please credit the Canadian Red Cross
Tips for avoiding donation scams
Why misinformation is dangerous, especially during emergencies
Coping with Crisis: expected reactions to abnormal events
Wildfires: Before, During and After