After a devastating 2025 wildfire season, which the provincial government termed the worst in 30 years, government officials gathered in Brandon today to announce a new suite of fire prevention and response measures.
The Manitoba Government has released its 2025 Wildfire Interim After Action Review including plans to strengthen the province’s wildfire response for 2026. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, minister responsible for the Emergency Management Organization, and Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie were in Brandon for the announcement.
“Last year, people from across the province came together to support their fellow Manitobans during the worst wildfire season in 30 years,” said Naylor. “This interim review highlights the tremendous efforts of all those involved in that response and highlights early findings that have guided our work to strengthen our response further ahead of the 2026 wildfire season.”
Among the highlights of this new strategy are providing a $1.2-million upgrade to the Manitoba Wildfire Service’s weather information and fire mapping systems, creating a new initial attack and fire base in the Thompson area, adding 19 firefighters and converting 15 term emergency-management staff to new, permanent positions, investing $1.1 million for aerial firefighting services, adding three new initial attack crews, and making it easier for evacuees to register and receive financial supports.
The province has also promised to make it easier for First Nations safety officers to be deployed outside their communities to support emergency response, and to continue recruitment and training of community‑based wildland firefighters, especially in First Nations.
