Resources for Evacuees
If you've been impacted by the 2025 wildfires in Manitoba, you are not alone. Financial and other essential supports are available to help you through this challenging time.
On this page:
- Information for 2025 Wildfire Evacuees
- Emergency Shelters
- Wildfire Incidental Support Program
- Financial Support
- Financial Support Delivery
- Eligibility for Financial Support
- Incidental Support Program – FAQ
- Health Resources for Evacuees
- Insurance and Wildfire Evacuations: What You Need to Know
- Information for Pet Owners
- Postal Disruption Information for Evacuees
Information for 2025 Wildfire Evacuees
Evacuees are encouraged to register with the Canadian Red Cross. Registration ensures you can be contacted and provided financial support while away from home.
- Online Registration: Register here
- Phone Registration: Call 1-800-863-6582 (8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. CST)
Only one person per household needs to register.
Emergency Shelters
Thousands of Manitobans have been displaced from their homes and communities and the Manitoba government has moved quickly to give them safety and shelter. Several congregate shelters were opened to provide immediate safety and shelter, and good progress has been made in moving the majority of people into hotel rooms.
All evacuees who do not have a place to stay are asked to proceed to the closest reception centre staffed by Emergency Social Services (ESS) and the Canadian Red Cross:
- Winnipeg, Billy Mosienko Arena, 709 Keewatin Street, 24/7
- Thompson, Burntwood Hotel, 146 Selkirk Avenue, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily
- Brandon, Victoria Inn, 3550 Victoria Avenue, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily
Wildfire Incidental Support Program
The provincial and federal governments are partnering to provide financial support for households evacuated from their community or First Nation due to the Manitoba wildfires. Funds will be distributed by the Canadian Red Cross and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO).
Financial Support
The financial benefit for Manitobans evacuated under a mandatory order will be $34 per day for each person aged 13 and older ($238 per week) and $27 per day for each child aged 12 and under ($189 per week).
This funding will help support their basic needs and costs while a mandatory evacuation order remains in place for their community or First Nation.
Financial Support Delivery
The Canadian Red Cross and MKO are issuing funds to support evacuees on behalf of the provincial and federal governments. Funds will be issued to the member of the household indicated on the registration form via e-transfer (if a valid email address was provided in registration) or a prepaid card or payment. The first payment issued will cover two weeks of support, with subsequent payments issued based on the duration of evacuation orders.
To access financial supports, register with the Canadian Red Cross.
Please note: If a household has already registered with the Canadian Red Cross online, over the phone, or in person they should not register again. Once a Red Cross registration number has been received by a household for the 2025 Manitoba Wildfires, that household is considered registered and does not need to do so again. Any duplicate registrations may delay the process as additional validation will be needed.
The Canadian Red Cross will never ask for your banking information, social insurance number or credit card number during registration or to receive financial assistance.
Eligibility for Financial Support
Individuals will be eligible for this support if:
- They are permanent residents of Manitoba.
- They have a primary residence in a community or First Nation that has been placed under a mandatory evacuation order due to wildfire or smoke.
- The mandatory evacuation order was issued on or after May 23, 2025.
- They are registered with the Canadian Red Cross.
- Their identity has been confirmed through the Canadian Red Cross.
Incidental Support Program – FAQ
Costs are to cover expenses that come up because an evacuee had to leave their home quickly. These might include things like:
- toiletries or personal care items
- basic clothing or footwear
- phone chargers or other small electronics
- food or groceries as desired
- transportation within the host community
This financial assistance is meant to help cover these basic, short-term needs while one is away from home.
Yes. If you're a permanent Manitoba resident and your community or First Nation is under a mandatory evacuation order issued on or after May 23, 2025, you may be eligible for financial support.
- You must be registered with the Canadian Red Cross or connected to services provided by MKO.
- Have your identity confirmed by the Canadian Red Cross.
- Your primary residence must also be located in a community under a mandatory evacuation order.
Please note: If a household has already registered with the Canadian Red Cross online, over the phone, or in person they should not register again. Once a Red Cross registration number has been received by a household for the 2025 Manitoba Wildfires, that household is considered registered and does not need to do so again. Any duplicate registrations may delay the process as additional validation will be needed.
The financial benefit for Manitobans evacuated under a mandatory order will be $34 per day for each person aged 13 and older ($238 per week) and $27 per day for each child aged 12 and under ($189 per week). More payments will follow if the evacuation continues.
The first payment issued will cover two weeks of support, with subsequent payments issued based on the duration of evacuation orders.
Payments go the member of the household who is registered with the Canadian Red Cross for all persons listed in the registration.
If you've already registered with the Canadian Red Cross and provided a valid email address, your e-transfer should arrive within 3-5 days. If you didn't provide an email address, the Canadian Red Cross and MKO are working with individuals and communities to issue prepaid cards/payments.
If you have provided a valid email address, you would receive the money by e-transfer. If you do not have an email, the Canadian Red Cross are working to issue prepaid card/payments in the coming days.
Yes. It doesn't matter where you're staying. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can receive support.
Yes. The Canadian Red Cross and MKO will work with community leaders and government partners to confirm your identity, if needed.
No. This program supports both First Nations and non-First Nations communities equally, through a partnership between the Manitoba government and Indigenous Services Canada.
Health Resources for Evacuees
Information about health supports for evacuees, including mental health resources and Indigenous wellbeing supports, is available through Shared Health at sharedhealthmb.ca/news/wildfire-updates/.
For general health care information, for services such as refilling a prescription, and for information about a loved one who may have been relocated from their personal care home or hospital, call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).
If you require your Manitoba Health card numbers (PHIN and/or Registration Number) to access medical services, please call 431-276-1334.
Evacuees with health concerns who are in congregate shelters can talk to onsite health care providers who can help with medical concerns, new prescriptions and renewals, and mental health and addictions concerns. Evacuees are encouraged to visit a health information table at the site for more information.
Find a family doctor or nurse practitioner
- Onsite health care providers are located at Health Information Tables in congregate shelters.
- Individuals may also call the Wildfire Health Information Line (nurse managed):
- Winnipeg: 204-788-8200 (Press 1)
- Toll-Free: 1-888-315-9257 (Press 1)
- For questions related to community, government, or social services, please contact 211.
- Additional options for accessing care within Winnipeg include Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic, Minor Injury and Illness Clinics, Walk-In Connected Care Clinics and Walk In Clinics as well as virtual care. For more on accessing these options please visit myrightcare.ca.
- For Flin Flon Evacuees - Primary care providers (such as doctors and nurse practitioners) from the Flin Flon area are registering with QDoc to continue supporting their patients virtually, including issuing prescription refills.
- To connect with a provider, visit qdocs.ca. Under the "Family Doctors" section, evacuees can find and select their regular provider from the list.
Insurance and Wildfire Evacuations: What You Need to Know
If your home is located in a community under a mandatory evacuation order, your private insurance policy may cover certain costs related to your evacuation. This can include accommodations, meals, transportation and other living expenses while you are displaced.
What to Do
- contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to confirm your coverage
- keep all receipts for expenses incurred during the evacuation
- document your evacuation (ex: date, location and any official notices)
Contact your insurance broker/provider directly for more information, or visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada for general guidance.
Information for Pet Owners
The Winnipeg Humane Society has set up a temporary animal shelter at the St. Norbert Community Centre, 3450 Pembina Highway, to support families with pets affected by Manitoba's wildfires and are providing vet care, housing, enrichment, and exercise in the community centre's indoor hockey rink. Families will have designated visiting hours to spend time with their pets and help care for them while staying elsewhere.
Intake hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For more information please visit 2025 Wildfire Response | Winnipeg Humane Society
Postal Disruption Information for Evacuees
The Manitoba government is responding to the postal disruption with Distribution Centres now open for essential mail pickup. Please visit Province of Manitoba | Postal Disruption for up-to-date information.
If you currently receive your payments or benefits by direct deposit, you will not be affected by the postal disruption.
