Structures destroyed as Piney wildfire grows ‘substantially’

A wildfire nears St. Labre, Man. on May 13, 2025. (Gary Hora)

A wildfire threatening a swath of southeastern Manitoba has grown substantially and destroyed at least two structures, officials say.

The RM of Piney posted an update Wednesday morning that the wildfire that forced the evacuation of several communities Tuesday has now grown to 7,000 hectares.

It covers over 7.5 kilometres along PR 203 northwest of Badger from the power line all the way to Fireguard 14, the update said.

The fire reached the tracks at Carrick, but did not jump them, the post said.

Firefighters are now focusing on this area, with helicopters and heavy machinery working to create fire guards around the blaze.

“RM fire crews will keep setting up sprinkles along properties and homes that the fire is threatening. Currently, there are two known structures that have been lost,” the post said.

Evacuation orders were issued Tuesday for residents south of Whitemouth Lake Road, Carrick, and St. Labre.

A reception centre is set up at the community centre in neighbouring Woodridge.

According to the province’s fire map, the wildfire initially broke out Saturday and is said to be out of control.

Dozens of wildfires burning across Manitoba

The blaze is one of 22 burning in the province, according to the province’s latest fire situation report issued Tuesday.

Three were characterized as out of control and were all in eastern Manitoba.

A number of communities in the Lac du Bonnet area were also hastily evacuated Tuesday as a separate wildfire erupted in that region. The province estimated its size Tuesday at 5,000 hectares.

The province declared a state of local emergency Tuesday in Nopiming, Wallace Lake, South Atikaki, and Manigotagan River provincial parks and ordered an immediate evacuation of Nopiming Provincial Park.