Lac du Bonnet - Forest fires in eastern Manitoba led the authorities to evacuate and shut down yet another well-liked provincial park before the upcoming long weekend. Meanwhile, numerous people extended their sympathies to the family of a couple who were discovered deceased amidst the charred remains after being trapped.
The flags flew at half-staff at the legislative building, where political figures observed a moment of silence on Thursday. The opposition Progressive Conservative MLA Rick Wowchuk identified the victims as Richard and Sue Nowell.
"With a somber spirit and great concern for numerous families, communities, and first responders confronting what could potentially be one of the toughest wildfire seasons our province has ever seen," stated Wowchuck.
A fellow Conservative Party legislator, Konrad Narth, informed the assembly that the victims' son along with his partner managed to flee but sustained injuries.
The RCMP stated that they received reports on Tuesday indicating several residents in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, a lakeside cabin destination located northeast of Winnipeg, were trapped due to a rapidly advancing wildfire. However, law enforcement officials were unable to reach the location.
The remains were discovered on Wednesday.
Authorities stated that 28 cabins and houses in the countryside within the municipality were demolished.
An additional 20 active fires were also raging in the province.
Premier Wab Kinew announced a state of local emergency to assist with evacuating Whiteshell Provincial Park because of the wildfires. The region includes 239 permanent residences, and inhabitants were required to leave by Thursday afternoon. Other parks in the vicinity have also been evacuated or shut down for visitors earlier in the week.
"We're approaching a lengthy weekend that will pose significant challenges. There’s a flood alert on the western part of the province and multiple uncontained wildfires raging on the eastern side," Kinew stated at a press briefing.
He encouraged individuals to follow evacuation instructions and, despite there being no provincial fire restriction in place, requested they refrain from using campfires and fireworks over the upcoming weekend.
In Manitoba, we have experienced loss of life... this is indeed a grave matter, and I believe everybody will recognize that we must adopt a careful and safety-focused strategy in response to this scenario.
The area, which straddles the boundary with Ontario, had managed to stay out of the path of the fires. But officials said a blaze near Ingolf, Ont., roughly 70 kilometres west of Kenora, had crossed into Manitoba. It was estimated to be around 230 square kilometres in size.
Manitoba was also hosting 1,200 evacuees from Ontario.
Manitoba requested the federal body responsible for coordinating shared resources among provinces to dispatch an extra 80 firefighters to assist with their situation.
Authorities mentioned that approximately 40 firefighters from British Columbia who were assisting in northern Manitoba could potentially be reassigned to support efforts dealing with fires in the eastern region.
"It’s difficult to witness our community members, our acquaintances, our loved ones facing such circumstances,” stated Ken Lodge, who serves as the mayor of Lac du Bonnet.
He mentioned that he was familiar with the couple who passed away. According to Lodge, they were highly regarded within the community and frequently lent their time as volunteers.
In essence, we operate as one unified community. Our social connections are deeply intertwined.
Manitoba Hydro stated in a release that among the casualties was a staff member who was off-duty when the incident occurred.
Around 1,000 individuals were instructed to evacuate the area earlier this week as the blazes intensified due to arid, scorching, and gusty weather conditions.
Paul Kochanski resides in Winnipeg and has possessed a cabin in the Lac du Bonnet area for over three decades.
Once news spread that a wildfire was heading towards the region, Kochanski decided to inspect his land. The wind was blowing fiercely from an adjacent lake, dark clouds filled with smoke loomed overhead, and water-dropping planes soared above the forest canopy.
"I was just jaw-dropped of the smoke and the fire," he said, adding he managed to grab some items from his cabin before leaving.
He said he feels grateful, because his cabin was spared.
Evacuee Ed Martens, standing outside the Lac du Bonnet community hall, a registration spot for those fleeing their homes, said he was told his home near Nopiming Provincial Park is likely still standing.
However, he mentioned that the absence of further details has been distressing.
Martens remembered leaving the area and seeing the flames across the road along with the smoke.
"It looked like a nuclear bomb went off."
Rain was in the forecast, and officials hoped some residents might be allowed back in the evacuation zone north of the town.
Officials are working to provide residents with timely information on when they can return, said Loren Schinkel, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet.
He mentioned they are working jointly to lift some of the restrictions on the evacuation zones.
Let's hope Mother Nature provides us with some much-needed rainfall.
So far this season, Manitoba has experienced approximately 80 forest fires, which is almost twice the usual number for this period.
— With contributions from Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg and Fakiha Baig in Edmonton
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 15, 2025.
Steve Lambert from The Canadian Press
