Manitoba firefighters off to battle Minn. blazes

A year after Minnesota firefighters stepped up to help Manitoba battle wildfires, the province is returning the favour.

“You are there for us, we will be there for you,” Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie said during question period Monday.

Two five-person crews from Manitoba travelled to the neighbouring U.S. state Saturday, a government spokesperson said.

Bushie said the help is part of the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact.

The mutual aid agreement between Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Manitoba, and Ontario was established to share firefighting resources, equipment, and personnel across international borders. It enables rapid cross-border deployment of crews and water bombers to combat severe wildfires.

More than 2.3 million hectares (5.7 million acres) of land were burned by more than 445 fires in 2025.

“We, unfortunately, last year had a devastating wildfire season,” Bushie said.

Manitoba has sent personnel to Minnesota, not aircraft or equipment, a government spokesman clarified.