Media Information Update: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Wildfires

In this issue:

• 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

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.

Registration numbers

As of June 15, the Canadian Red Cross has registered more than 21,500 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 4,600 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:

• Coordinating the scheduling of flights and buses and engaging with other partners to secure modes of transportation for the arrival of people being evacuated into Winnipeg, where possible.
• Operating one congregate shelter and one reception centre in Winnipeg.
• Providing registration, information and well-being support in Brandon, Thompson and Winnipeg.
• Providing 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.
• Providing urgent supplies for communities that remain in place, such as food, air purifiers, and other requested equipment.
• 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.
• Secured more than 2,200 hotel rooms for evacuees in Manitoba (as of June 15).
• The Canadian Red Cross is 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 provide people impacted by the wildfire evacuations with access to health support they need and provide designated areas for child-friendly spaces.

Donations

As of June 16, the Canadian Red Cross has raised $5.5 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, along with various partners, is providing critical assistance through lodging, food, emergency supplies, and other services to people who had to evacuate due to wildfires. This support is offered at the request of community leadership and through a standing agreement with Indigenous Services Canada. 

Registration numbers

As of June 14, 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

The Canadian Red Cross is providing registration, reception and information, emergency accommodation, meals, and personal services, as well as operating a call centre, for people evacuated from their homes located within the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, as well as the Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities.

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

• Welcoming people at four reception centres: two in Saskatoon, one in Prince Albert and one in Regina.
• Providing accommodation for those in need of a place to stay. To date, the Canadian Red Cross has secured more than 1,100 hotel rooms in Saskatchewan.
• Providing food and supplies, such as cots, blankets, and pillows, to additional locations upon request from community leadership.
• Maintaining a standby congregate shelter in Saskatoon in the event that additional emergency accommodation is needed for people in the coming days.
• 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 16, the Canadian Red Cross has raised $2.1 million for the 2025 Saskatchewan Wildfires Appeal. This amount does not include matching funds from the Government of Canada donations.

Helpful Resources