Non-essential travel not recommended in Manitoba due to wildfire evacuations

The Manitoba government wants people to reconsider non-essential travel to Manitoba to keep hotels free for wildfire evacuees. Danton Unger reports.

Manitobans and Canadians are being asked to reconsider nonessential travel and any events in the province due to the ongoing wildfire situation.

As of Monday, the province said about 21,000 Manitoba wildfire evacuees have registered with the Canadian Red Cross.

“This is one of the largest evacuations in the province’s history,” Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Naylor said the government anticipates there may be a need for more hotel rooms as the wildfire season continues.

“For that reason, we are urging Manitobans and Canadians to reconsider nonessential travel and event plans within Manitoba.”

Some organizations have already cancelled events in the city. Last week the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, along with the Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench, cancelled a conference due to “the pressing need to make hotel spaces available.”

By discouraging nonessential travel to Manitoba, Naylor said the province believes it will be able to find accommodations for all evacuees.

Michael Juce, president of the Manitoba Hotel Association, said hotels are here to help and are ready to serve their communities.

“Hotels have been there for communities in previous emergencies, and they will continue to do their best to help all guests and let them know they are welcome,” Juce said in an email to CTV News.

“Hotels will continue to work with government and other stakeholders to fill the rooms in the province.”

While on the tourism side, Economic Development Winnipeg said it recognizes the critical need to find rooms.

“We continue to seek clarity on how the recent request to limit nonessential travel may be applied and interpreted across the province,” the organization said in a statement. “In the meantime, we remain committed to working closely with our tourism partners and government officials to respond to the current situation’s needs.”

CTV News has reached out to Travel Manitoba for comment.

Naylor said the province has been working closely with the tourism and hotel industry.

“We absolutely know how important tourism is to Manitoba, and we are very mindful of the many workers whose livelihoods depend on a strong tourism sector,” she said.

There are 29 wildfires burning in Manitoba, with 10 considered out of control. So far in 2025, there have been 116 fires.