Lac du Bonnet — Rain provided some assistance in the fight against forest fires in eastern Manitoba on Friday, though the struggle was not yet complete.
Continuous rainfall affected regions such as the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, where a blaze earlier this week obliterated 28 houses and cabins and resulted in two fatalities.
"The snow has been falling steadily," stated Loren Schinkel, who serves as the municipality's reeve.
On Thursday evening, a portion of an evacuation zone was reinstated for permanent residents. However, Schinkel mentioned that fires were still raging in adjacent regions, with no timeline provided for when individuals would be allowed to return home.
I was in the region earlier today where the fire began... and you can still notice numerous areas with intense heat.
Reports surfaced on Friday about rescue operations that included involvement from provincial employees and a privately contracted helicopter company on Tuesday evening as the blaze intensified.
Six individuals were rescued from a vicinity close to Lac du Bonnet, stated the province. Additionally, a family of four was saved from Garner Lake, along with three marooned boaters who were recovered from Shoe Lake; these last two sites are within Nopiming Provincial Park, situated northeast of Lac du Bonnet.
A government statement noted that as fire conditions quickly worsened, personnel from the Manitoba Wildfire Service and Conservation Officer Service, assisted by a nearby helicopter pilot, managed to carry out several daring rescues under extremely hazardous circumstances.
A wildfire close to Lac du Bonnet resulted in the deaths of a couple, identified as Richard and Sue Nowell, after they became trapped by the blaze.
The Manitoba Conservation Officers Association stated that one of the couple's sons, Ryland Nowell, serves as a patrol captain for the organization.
"Nowell had been assisting with the wildfires in Whiteshell Provincial Park in the days prior," said a post on the association's Facebook page.
It also said he helped last year with evacuations and protecting properties during the Cranberry Portage fire in northern Manitoba, "saving countless cottages and lives."
An online fundraising effort for Ryland Nowell and his brother, as they both lived with their parents, had garnered more than $133,000 by Friday afternoon.
Expressions of sympathy have flooded in for the family.
"I have fond recollections of times spent with Sue involving music, concerts, and our friends," stated high school acquaintance Lori Sparacio.
She impacted countless lives and was incredibly kind and affectionate. Her love for her family knew no bounds.
An additional 20 wildfires were raging across the province, prompting the Manitoba government to close certain provincial parks.
On Thursday evening, Premier Wab Kinew made a visit to Lac du Bonnet.
He encouraged individuals to follow evacuation instructions and avoid setting up campfires and fireworks during the extended weekend, particularly in regions where these activities remain allowed.
The Alberta government announced that they would be assisting Manitoba by dispatching two wildland fire suppression teams along with support personnel who will arrive within the next few days.
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 16, 2025.
The Canadian Press
