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2nd August 2025

Subject: Urgent Request for Canadian Military Assistance in Northern Manitoba Wildfire Efforts

To: The Honourable Wab Kinew
Premier of Manitoba
Government of Manitoba
204 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8

Phone: 204-945-3714
Email: premier@manitoba.ca 

The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
Government of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario. K1A 0A2
Phone: 613-957-5555
Fax: 613-941-6900 

Dear Premier Kinew and Prime Minister Carney,

I am writing to urgently request the deployment of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) resources to support wildfire suppression efforts in northern Manitoba, where escalating fires are overwhelming local and provincial response capabilities.

Given the unprecedented scale and intensity of this year’s wildfire season, Manitoba’s limited human and asset resources are stretched beyond capacity, putting communities, critical infrastructure, and ecosystems at severe risk. 

The CAF’s unique capabilities—including air transport, heavy equipment, logistics, and personnel—could provide critical support in: 
- Aerial firefighting: Augmenting water-bombing and surveillance efforts with military aircraft. 
- Evacuations: Assisting in the safe evacuation of remote and Indigenous communities. 
- Logistics and supply: Delivering equipment, fire retardants, and personnel to high-risk areas. 
- Engineering support: Creating firebreaks and protecting infrastructure. 

With extreme weather conditions exacerbating fire activity, immediate federal-provincial collaboration is essential to safeguard lives and livelihoods. Manitoba’s wildfire teams are demonstrating extraordinary dedication, but military assistance would provide the surge capacity needed to confront this crisis effectively. 

We respectfully urge the Government of Canada to approve the deployment of CAF resources under the federal Emergency Management Assistance Program, in coordination with Manitoba’s emergency response authorities. Time is of the essence. 

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter. We stand ready to collaborate closely to protect Manitobans and our northern communities. 

Ekosani, 
Lianna F Anderson  
Town of Leaf Rapids Resident
O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation member  
Box 21, Leaf Rapids, MB, R0B 1W0
leefa.mb@gmail.com

c.c.:
Minister David McGuinty, National Defence david.mcguinty@parl.gc.ca 
Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Public Safety gary.anand@parl.gc.ca
Assistant Deputy Minister Kristin Hayward, Manitoba Wildfire Service Kristing.Hayward@gov.mb.ca 

BACKGROUNDER:

As of 2nd August 2025, more than 27,600 people from over 10,800 households have been evacuated due to the wildfires in Manitoba.

The damage is extensive, involving millions of dollars in infrastructure loss. The fires have burned through over a million hectares.  This includes personal property, private businesses, and public infrastructure, such as homes, buildings, and transportation networks. 

During this 2025 summer season, Manitoba has already experienced over one million hectares of wildfires. It's clear that the damage is extensive, and the situation remains severe. The province is under a second state of emergency due to this record-breaking wildfire season, highlighting the severity of the situation and the ongoing threat.

The current wildfire season is described as the worst in the last 30 years, with the one million hectare milestone being a key indicator. The severity and ongoing nature of the situation mean it's still a major concern.

"The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to respond to 127 active wildfires across the province, with a total of 351 wildfires to date, which is well above the average for this date of 276 total fires.

Fires of note include:

EAST REGION:

Fire EA061 remains out of control at approximately 329,855 ha. A closure and mandatory evacuation order is in place for most of Atikaki Provincial Park, and the entire areas of Wallace Lake and South Atikaki Provincial Parks. While access to Nopiming Provincial Park has reopened, the fire continues to smoulder throughout the park.

WEST REGION:

Fire WE017, located near Sherridon and the city of Flin Flon, is approximately 347,100 ha and is out of control. For the safety of personnel, boaters are asked to avoid waterways being utilized by Manitoba Wildfire Service tankers and aircraft.

Fire WE025, located near Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), is approximately 62,075 ha and is being monitored. The fire is contained around Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) but a mandatory evacuation order continues.

Fire WE028, located 10 kilometres (km) from Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, is approximately 7,190 ha and is out of control.

Fire WE052, located at Snow Lake, is approximately 28,115 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the town of Snow Lake. Wekusko Falls Provincial Park closure will remain in place until August and a mandatory evacuation order continues for park users. Chisel Lake mine and Lalor mine remain evacuated.

Fire WE053, located 13 km from Snow Lake, is approximately 7,990 ha and is out of control.

Fire WE085, located about 12 km from Cormorant, is approximately 800 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place.

NORTH REGION:

Fire NO002, located near the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 84,270 ha and is out of control.

Fire NO042, located 12 km southwest from the town of Lynn Lake, is approximately 15,090 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the town of Lynn Lake and Marcel Columb First Nation.

Fire NO005, located near Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake, Jenpeg Generating Station and Whiskey Jack Landing, is approximately 149,560 ha and is out of control.

Fire NO010, located near Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), is approximately 25,225 ha and is out of control. Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake), under a mandatory evacuation order, is planning a phased return of evacuees to the Nation starting July 30. 

Fire NO026, located four km from the town of Leaf Rapids, is approximately 73,535 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation order is in place for the town of Leaf Rapids.

Fire NO047, located 25 km from the town of Leaf Rapids, is approximately 15,525 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation remains in place for the town of Leaf Rapids. 

Fire NO061, located 14 km from the city of Thompson, is approximately 18,365 ha and is out of control.

Fire NO079 located near Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill Anisininew Nation), is approximately 37,855 ha and is out of control. A mandatory evacuation remains in place for Kistiganwacheeng (Garden Hill Anisininew Nation) and Island Lake (Stevenson Island)."  (source Province of Manitoba 29 July 2025)