Wildfire roars in to Leaf Rapids, town reports

Posted: 9:15 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 23, 2025 Last Modified: 8:40 AM CDT Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025 | Updates

A wildfire has spread into the northern town of Leaf Rapids.

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A wildfire has spread into the northern town of Leaf Rapids.

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A wildfire has spread into the northern town of Leaf Rapids.

In a social media post at 8:15 Wednesday evening, the Town of Leaf Rapids said the flames had jumped across the Churchill River and entered the town through an industrial area.

“All we know is it has gone further south than the South Indian Lake road at PR391,” the post said.

Shirley Dysart photo
Supplied photo shows a wildfire near Leaf Rapids on July 7. On Wednesday flames had jumped across the Churchill River and entered the town through an industrial area. — Shirley Dysart photo

Supplied photo shows a wildfire near Leaf Rapids on July 7. On Wednesday flames had jumped across the Churchill River and entered the town through an industrial area.

It advised that further information may not be available before morning due to smoke.

“Hope for the best, and if nothing else be thankful everyone got out safely,” the post said.

Updates would be released as soon as further information is available, the town said.

The approximately 300 residents of the mining community were given 24 hours’ notice to leave on July 7.

Leaf Rapids is 220 kilometres northwest of Thompson.

On Monday, the province reported that the town was surrounded by fire after hot weather and a lack of rain on the weekend.

“We’re particularly concerned about that fire today given we have northwest winds and a lot of good fuel in front of that fire toward the town,” said Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Wildfire Service.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca