A provincial state of emergency continues.

As Premier Wab Kinew noted this week, wildfire evacuations in Manitoba are now the largest air evacuation in Canadian history, according to the Canadian Armed Forces. 

Approximately 21,000 Manitobans from 27 communities have registered as wildfire evacuees with the Red Cross. 

Manitobans are being asked to reconsider non-essential travel in the province to help prioritize lodgings for wildfire evacuees. The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 25 active wildfires across the province, a total of 116 wildfires to date, above the average for this date of 105 total fires. 

Doctors Manitoba has reached out to physicians in the area to offer our support and resources, and doctors across Manitoba should be prepared for potential disruptions in service or changes to accommodate evacuees.

As with any rapidly changing disaster situation, please monitor your local news for the latest updates.

MB Ready provides current information on wildfires, natural disasters, and other public safety hazards. 

The Manitoba government’s provincial state of emergency, under the Emergency Measures Act, will remain in effect until June 26.

THE LATEST:

• The most recent Fire Bulletin from the province.

• More than 17,000 people are being evacuated, primarily to Winnipeg. Premier Wab Kinew noted ​“this is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans’ living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government.” It’s likely the largest evacuation since the 1997 flood.

• All evacuees are encouraged to register at www​.red​cross​.ca/​2​0​2​5​m​a​n​i​t​o​b​a​w​i​l​d​fires or by calling 1−800−863−6582 (toll-free) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

HOSPITAL EVACUATIONS: Several health facilities have evacuated.

• Flin Flon General Hospital started evacuating its most acute care patients via airlift Tuesday.
• Lynn Lake Hospital and Sherridon Health Centre are temporarily closed as of May 27 due to wildfire activity. 

PRESCRIPTIONS: Filling Evacuees’ Prescriptions: With pharmacies in Flin Flon and other communities closed, patient prescriptions cannot be verified with the pharmacy or transferred to another location. Physicians evacuated may also be unable to care for their patients. Physicians in other areas of the province may see increased requests for prescription refills. 

• The CPSM Prescribing Practices Program (PPP) is available to help ensure patients receive prescription refills they require. Physicians can contact the PPP at 204−774−4344 or by email at cpsm@​cpsm.​mb.​ca for assistance with refills or other issues they are experiencing as a result of the evacuations.

• New: CPSM registrants from the Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA), who also relocated to Saskatchewan, are authorized to provide prescription refills to Manitoba residents while both the physician and patient are in Saskatchewan during the state of emergency. Learn more here from CPSM.

MEMBER IMPACT: Here are several important resources to monitor as you care for your patients, as well as yourself and your loved ones:

• Shared Health has a running list of wildfire resources and information geared toward patients and their loved ones.

• Fire Bulletins from the Manitoba government provide information on evacuations and states of emergency.

• The FireView map from the Manitoba government illustrates the location and status of current wildfire activity in Manitoba.

• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)’s Air Quality Advisory for Manitoba will lead you to information about poor air quality and reduced visibility.
• Officials have warned the public that they may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.

Remember that Doc360 is a resource that can be accessed by members and their families impacted by fire and evacuations themselves or by patient trauma.

SUPPORT THE RESPONSE

There are multiple ways to support the response:

• Want to help clinically? We are accepting names from physicians willing to offer medical help to support the response, from all regions in Manitoba. Add your name here, with no commitment to help at this time.

• Want to help financially? If you want to help with relief for those impacted by Manitoba wildfires, you can donate to the Red Cross as part of their 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal. Click here to donate.