Wildfire Response
We have had several questions from members about how to support the Manitoba Wildfire response. Here are key details:
Want to help clinically? The health system may need help all with the response, including to care for hospital patients, PCH residents, and evacuees in communities all over the province. Doctors Manitoba has been asked to collect names from physicians willing to offer medical help to support the response, from all regions in Manitoba.
Want to help financially? Members are encouraged to donate through the Manitoba Red Cross to help the people and communities affected by wildfires in the province. Right now, donation matching is in effect, which means every dollar donated is double matched!
Doctors Manitoba is making a significant Red Cross donation as well on behalf of the medical community. Donations to the Red Cross will be used to assist those impacted in Manitoba with immediate and ongoing relief including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, as well as supporting community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within Manitoba.
NOTE: The Red Cross asks that people do NOT send goods, as the human resources required to manage and store and deploy the goods takes away from the actual emergency response.
You can also stay connected to local, First Nations, and Metis organizations assisting with the response for other ways to help.
Filling Evacuees’ Prescriptions: With pharmacies in Flin Flon and other communities closed, patient prescriptions cannot be verified with the pharmacy or transferred to another location. Physicians evacuated may also be unable to care for their patients. Physicians in other areas of the province may see increased requests for prescription refills.
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The CPSM Prescribing Practices Program (PPP) is available to help ensure patients receive prescription refills they require. Physicians can contact the PPP at 204-774-4344 or by email at cpsm@cpsm.mb.ca for assistance with refills or other issues they are experiencing as a result of the evacuations.

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New today: CPSM registrants from the Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA), who also relocated to Saskatchewan, are authorized to provide prescription refills to Manitoba residents while both the physician and patient are in Saskatchewan during the state of emergency. Learn more here from CPSM.
Get the Latest Updates
You can get the latest info here:
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Our Doctors Manitoba Wildfires page will be updated periodically with info curated for physicians.
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Shared Health has a running list of wildfire resources and information geared toward patients and their loved ones.
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Fire Bulletins from the Manitoba government provide information on evacuations and states of emergency.
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The FireView map from the Manitoba government illustrates the location and status of current wildfire activity in Manitoba.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)’s Air Quality Advisory for Manitoba will lead you to information about poor air quality and reduced visibility which are expected over the next few days. The warning is for Winnipeg and most of eastern and southeastern Manitoba, ranging from Emerson up to the Little Grand Rapids.
GettingHealthy.ca Public Info: We have posted an article for the public about the health impacts of wildfire smoke, with expert advice from respirologist Dr. Martha Ainslie. You can see the article here and share with patients and your community.
A Message from CPSM: We understand the difficulty in balancing your duty to assist in an emergency and your own safety. We see you and acknowledge the pressure in deciding whether to travel North, which is further impacted by the rapidly changing conditions. We trust that you will make the best decision for your circumstances, but feel free to reach out to CPSM at 204-774-4344 or by email at cpsm@cpsm.mb.ca. Additionally, the Standard of Practice – Duty to Assist in an Emergency outlines the requirements for registrants to assist and valid reasons for nonattendance (see section 2.2).
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