Close

Quick Links
Ways to support us
Replica E-Edition
Business
Arts & Life
- All Arts & Life
- The Arts
- Autos
- Books
- Cannabis
- Celebrities
- Diversions
- Puzzles
- Environment
- Events
- Faith
- Food & Drink
- Health
- Life & Style
- Movies
- Music
- Science & Technology
- TV
- Travel
Sports
- All Sports
- Amateur
- Auto Racing
- Blue Bombers
- Curling
- Football
- Goldeyes
- Golf
- Grey Cup
- High School
- Hockey
- Horse Racing
- Winnipeg Jets
- Manitoba Moose
- Manitoba Open
- MLB
- NBA
- Olympics
- Soccer
Opinion
Media
Homes
Canstar Community news
About Us

SERVING MANITOBA SINCE 1872
PROUDLY CANADIAN

In pictures: Flin Flon wildfire tour June 12, 2025 By: Photography by Mike Deal / Free Press Posted: 6:48 PM CDT Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025

Premier Wab Kinew got a firsthand look at the battle against the largest wildfire in the province during a tour of northern Manitoba Thursday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Premier Wab Kinew got a firsthand look at the battle against the largest wildfire in the province during a tour of northern Manitoba Thursday.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/06/2025 (396 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Wab Kinew got a firsthand look at the battle against the largest wildfire in the province during a tour of northern Manitoba Thursday.

Free Press photographer Mike Deal was aboard the plane and helicopter and on the ground with the premier. Here’s what he saw.

An aerial view of Flin Flon.

The streets are empty in Flin Flon.

Premier Wab Kinew in the helicopter touring the area around Flin Flon.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Tour of the wildfire conditions around Flin Flon by helicopter.

Premier Wab Kinew chats with firefighters from the Ebb and Flow Fire Department while they eat lunch at the R.H. Channing Auditorium (Community Hall) in Flin Flon.

Premier Wab Kinew greets and chats with the Logan Hotshots from the U.S. Forest Service as they get ready to drop into a hot zone for the day.

Volunteer Sandra Trottier with MMF looks for a sweater for a client outside the evacuation centre in Thompson

Premier Wab Kinew meets with staff from the MMF outside the evacuation centre at the Thompson Regional Community Centre in Thompson.

Premier Wab Kinew meets with staff from the MMF outside the evacuation centre at the Thompson Regional Community Centre in Thompson.

Mike Deal

Mike Deal
Photojournalist

Mike Deal started freelancing for the Winnipeg Free Press in 1997. Three years later, he landed a part-time job as a night photo desk editor.

Read full biography

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Hellebuyck, footy, AI, and more

0 minute read Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
The closed Dauphin Regional Health Centre in Dauphin, MB.

Kinew vows to speed up 12-month timeline to revive Dauphin hospital

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Preview

Kinew vows to speed up 12-month timeline to revive Dauphin hospital

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

Premier Wab Kinew said he was told Dauphin’s hospital may not be able to reopen for a year after floodwater got into the basement and damaged the building, including its HVAC system.

He called that “unacceptable.”

“We are going to throw a ton of resources and time and energy towards accelerating that as much as possible,” he told reporters at a briefing at the Manitoba legislature Friday.

The Dauphin Regional Health Centre sustained significant damage as a result of recent intense flooding in the Parkland region following massive rainfall. The medical hub was evacuated on Canada Day and its emergency department was closed after the site lost power and the use of its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

Read

Friday, Jul. 10, 2026

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Goldeyes’ Noah Marcelo drove in his team-leading 45th run of the year in an 8-5 win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats at Winnipeg’s Blue Cross Park on Sunday afternoon.

Goldeyes beat RailCats to stretch win streak to four games before break

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Goldeyes beat RailCats to stretch win streak to four games before break

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read 5:47 PM CDT

Perhaps the only thing that can slow down the Winnipeg Goldeyes these days is the American Association schedule.

The club is playing its best baseball of the season, rattling off four straight wins including an 8-5 decision on Sunday afternoon over the Gary SouthShore RailCats at sweltering Blue Cross Park in front of 2,688 sun-soaked spectators.

Winnipeg is now 25-26 on the year, which represents the closest they’ve been to .500 since back in early June.

However, the pursuit of a fifth straight triumph will have to wait until Friday. A four-day break is now upon them to allow for the league’s all-star game which will be played on Wednesday in Lincoln.

Read

5:47 PM CDT

SUPPLIED
Carol Joy Wood, 59, died in an ATV crash in South Indian Lake on Thursday.

Five ATV deaths renew mandatory safety course debate

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Preview

Five ATV deaths renew mandatory safety course debate

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Updated: 11:27 AM CDT

A high number of ATV fatalities in Manitoba has longtime riders wondering what measures can be taken to prevent deaths, including the possibility of mandatory safety courses.

So far this year, five riders have been killed in the province. The latest tragedy took place Thursday when a 59-year-old woman died in South Indian Lake, located about 770 kilometres north of Winnipeg. RCMP arrived to find her lying on the road, while her ATV was in the ditch.

Dave Lee, the president of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Manitoba, said one death is too many.

“Someone has lost their loved one,” he said. “It’s devastating for a family. The first question I always ask is: ‘Why did this happen?

Read

Updated: 11:27 AM CDT

CASSIDY DANKOCHIK / THE CARILLON FILES
“Viggo Björck has chosen to leave Djurgården to continue his career in the Winnipeg Jets organization next season,” a news release stated.

Top prospect Viggo Björck plans future with Jets

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Top prospect Viggo Björck plans future with Jets

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read 2:19 PM CDT

The stage appears to be set for Viggo Björck to make an immediate impact with the Winnipeg Jets.

A significant development occurred this weekend when Djurgården — the Swedish team Björck was under contract for the coming season — announced the 18-year-old was departing the organization under very positive terms.

“Viggo Björck has chosen to leave Djurgården to continue his career in the Winnipeg Jets organization next season,” the news release stated.

The announcement prompted vastly different reactions depending on your perspective.

Read

2:19 PM CDT

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS
The Cornish Child Care Centre Inc. on Furby Street in Winnipeg, Man., has been shuttered due to a fire at a connecting building. The Cornish Child Care Centre was pictured on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Daycare connected to fire-damaged apartment shuttered

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Preview

Daycare connected to fire-damaged apartment shuttered

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Updated: 10:17 PM CDT

A Winnipeg mother is scrambling to find care for her autistic son after a fire at a connected Manitoba Housing building shuttered a West Broadway daycare.

The daycare, licenced for 45 children, was forced to lock its doors after a fire at 25 Furby St. sent eight people to hospital early Thursday morning.

Parents were informed about the closure of the Cornish Child Care Centre on the morning of the blaze. When Tara Gogal saw the extensive damage to the building, she knew her three-year-old son Finn would not be able to go back any time soon.

“I said to myself: ‘it’s impossible this daycare is opening,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine the amount of damage.”

Read

Updated: 10:17 PM CDT