By The Canadian Press

Rain offers some help for crews battling deadly wildfires in eastern Manitoba

May 16, 2025 | 2:00 AM

LAC DU BONNET — Rain offered some help in the battle against forest fires in eastern Manitoba on Friday, but the effort remained far from over.

Steady rain hit areas including the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, where a fire this week destroyed 28 homes and cottages and left two people dead.

“It’s been coming down pretty good,” said Loren Schinkel, the municipality’s reeve.

A section of one evacuated area was reopened Thursday night to permanent residents. But Schinkel said the fire in nearby areas is still burning and there was no word on when people might get back in.

“I was in the area this morning where the fire started … and you still see tons of hot spots.”

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Word emerged Friday of rescues that involved provincial staff and a private helicopter operator on Tuesday night as the fire raged.

Six people were extracted from an area near Lac du Bonnet, as were a family of four from Garner Lake and three stranded boaters from Shoe Lake, the province said. The latter two locations are in Nopiming Provincial Park, northeast of Lac du Bonnet.

“With fire conditions rapidly deteriorating, provincial staff from the Manitoba Wildfire Service and Conservation Officer Service, with the help of a local helicopter pilot, were able to make a series of dramatic rescues in very dangerous conditions,” a government statement said.

The fire near Lac du Bonnet claimed the lives of a man and his wife, identified as Richard and Sue Nowell, who were stranded by the flames.

The Manitoba Conservation Officers Association said one of the couple’s sons, Ryland Nowell, is a patrol captain with the service.

“Nowell had been assisting with the wildfires in Whiteshell Provincial Park in the days prior,” said a post on the association’s Facebook page.

It also said he helped last year with evacuations and protecting properties during the Cranberry Portage fire in northern Manitoba, “saving countless cottages and lives.”

An online fundraising effort for Ryland Nowell and his brother, as they both lived with their parents, had garnered more than $133,000 by Friday afternoon.

Condolences have poured in for the family.

“My favourite memories with Sue are all around music, concerts and friends,” said high school friend Lori Sparacio.

“She touched so many people and was the kindest and the most loving person. She loved her family beyond belief.”

Another 20 fires were also burning in the province, and the Manitoba government closed some provincial parks.

Premier Wab Kinew visited Lac du Bonnet on Thursday night.

He urged people to obey evacuation orders and not to light campfires and fireworks over the long weekend, even in areas where fires are still permitted.

The Alberta government said it was sending help to Manitoba, with two wildland firefighting crews and support staff expected in the coming days.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.

The Canadian Press