WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government has ended the state of emergency put in place last month due to out-of-control wildfires, as more evacuees have been given the OK to return home.
The province's second state of emergency for the summer was put in place on July 10 while wildfire conditions worsened and was later extended.
The province says evacuation orders set by local authorities remain in place until it is deemed safe to return.
A mandatory evacuation order for the roughly 1,000 residents of Snow Lake, about 700 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, was lifted Friday morning.
The community says the town office will be closed early next week to allow staff to catch up on essential work.
This is the second time residents from Snow Lake are returning home this summer after blazes forced them out.
The latest data from the province shows 149 active wildfires.
Officials say fire conditions have improved thanks to some much-needed rain and cooler temperatures, and that a handful of out-of-control wildfires are now being held.
The Manitoba government said as of Friday morning the remaining evacuees displaced by wildfires are staying in hotel rooms.
The province said of roughly 7,000 residents still displaced, none are in congregate shelters.
The communities of Mathias Colomb and Marcel Colomb Cree Nations, Lynn Lake and Leaf Rapids remain evacuated due to power outages in some cases.
Manitoba Hydro said Friday that as more damaged areas become accessible, the Crown utility will mobilize more crews.
It said a 40-person camp has been set up in Leaf Rapids that allows crews to stay on-site.
Saskatchewan has also provided help in the form of additional tracked vehicles and crews to assist with restoration efforts.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 22, 2025.
The Canadian Press
