Last spring and summer, Manitobans became all too familiar with fire bulletins posted by the provincial government as they frequently carried news of fire bans, out of control blazes, and outright evacuations. The first fire bulletin of 2026 contains some information on improvements made in the hopes of preventing a similarly destructive 2026 fire season.
The province released their first fire bulletin of the year this afternoon. In it, they said they’ve been investing in wildfire equipment and resources, hiring additional staff and reminding Manitobans to take preventative steps to help prevent human-caused fires.
Among the steps they’ve taken, the release touts a $1.2-million upgrade to the Manitoba Wildfire Service’s weather information and fire mapping systems, a new initial attack and fire base in the Thompson area, 19 more seasonal positions, including adding three new initial attack crews, and converting 15 term emergency-management staff to new, permanent positions, investing $1.1-million for aerial firefighting services, and continuing recruitment and training of community‑based wildland firefighters, especially in First Nations.
“Spring is one of the most critical times for wildfire prevention,” reads the release. “Dry grass and debris can ignite easily and many spring fires are preventable. By following FireSmart practices early, Manitobans can help protect their communities throughout the fire season.”
The release says people should avoid burning anything if it is too windy, know and follow burn restrictions in their area, and never leave an outdoor fire unattended and always fully extinguish fires by drowning ashes and embers with water before leaving.
A full list of fire prevention tips is available at www.firesmartcanada.ca. For general wildfire information in Manitoba, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/wildfire.
