The 2025 wildfire season is now the worst on record in the past 30 years, with more than 2.1 million hectares (ha) of area burned in the province and many fires still burning.
Wildfires have caused considerable damage to our poles, power lines and other equipment across a wide area and resulted in power outages in some communities. We understand the additional strain this puts on communities and families affected by wildfires.
customers affected
8customers
damaged structures
1,074structures
structures repaired or replaced
793structures
Our crews have repaired or replaced hundreds of structures and many kilometers of power lines, along with other equipment such as transformers, in areas hit by wildfires and are in the process of repairing and replacing many more. Some damage is in remote, hard to access areas and in difficult terrain.
In addition, fires are still burning in several areas, meaning we may still see additional damage to our lines that could impact restoration efforts and timelines. Restoration timelines can also be affected by smoke, weather, access issues and the logistics of housing large numbers of crews.
We are receiving mutual aid from SaskPower who is supplying two additional tracked vehicles with crews to help with restoration efforts in difficult terrain. We have also engaged several contractors to assist with our restoration efforts.
Our crews and our mutual aid partners and contractors, can only enter an area to assess and begin restoration work when the Manitoba Wildfire Service determines the area is safe and is expected to remain so. The safety of our crews personnel is our absolute top priority.
Restoration summary
Last updated on: September 11, 2025
| Community/area | Customers without power | Structures known to be damaged | Structures Repaired or replaced to date | Current activities | Estimated restoration date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) | 0 | 253 | 213 | Line 7 - Energized successfully, with customer load added to the line September 10 to energize Mathias Colomb. All of community was able to be energized. Line 8 - Restoration work remains on-going. All of Mathias Colomb is energized via Line 7 and work on Line 8 continues to add additional stability to the energy grid to the community of Mathias Colomb. Four structures completed, continuing with salvage work. All poles are set and 40 structures remain to be completed with hardware and stringing conductor. (Note: An adjustment has been made from previous accounting for number of structures repaired/replaced.) |
Line 7 - All of community restored September 10, 2025. Line 8 - Week of September 14, 2025 |
| Marcel Colomb First Nation (Black Sturgeon Falls) and Lynn Lake | 0 | 5 | 5 | All structures complete, a few repairs on minor damage to additional poles completed September 10. On schedule and plan to energize Marcel Colomb First Nation today (September 11) after completion of final checks. | September 11, 2025 |
| O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation / South Indian Lake | 0 | 156 | 156 | Final restoration work completed with energization of the line September 10. Testing and final checks completed and line is fully released for service. All customers are now restored. | All of community restored September 10, 2025. |
| Leaf Rapids | 0 | 12 | 12 | Line repair work is complete. All customers are now restored. | Full restoration completed September 9, 2025 |
| Other areas | 8 | 648 | 407 | Repairs are continuing. | To be determined |
ABOUT ESTIMATED TIMES FOR RESTORATION (ETRs): These times are estimates only, and subject to revision based on discoveries of additional damage, weather issues, ongoing fires and smoke, difficult access and other issues beyond Manitoba Hydro’s control. ETRs will be updated and revised as work progresses.
Our response effort
In some cases, power lines are down in remote areas with little or no road access. Smoke or bad weather can also limit access even by air. Accommodations for crews working in remote areas are limited. This can impact estimated times for restoration.
Process for outage restoration
- Assess. Crews determine what is damaged and what needs repair or replacement to get power restored safely. In remote areas with no roads or other access, we make these assessments from a helicopter flight. Our crews can only make these assessments if weather conditions allow for safe flights and Manitoba Wildfire Service has cleared us to enter it. . In certain case a more detailed ground assessment may be required following an aerial assessment.
- Procure materials and supplies, if required. We store as many materials and supplies as we can, but certain specialized equipment may need to be ordered as needed. We make every effort to order these in advance of beginning restoration work.
- Plan and prioritize where crews and materials need to go to restore as many customers as possible in the shortest amount of time. In remote areas this planning involves arranging lodging for crews and may involve setting up camps in remote areas to minimize travel times.
- Transport materials and crews (and maybe camp supplies) to work sites.
- Begin work. Work replacing broken or damaged equipment and repairing and salvaging equipment and other materials wherever possible. Salvage work takes a second priority to repair efforts.
Preventing wildfire outages
We are taking steps to prevent or limit further damage and ensure the power stays on in more communities:
- Working with Manitoba Wildfire Service to fight fires.
- Installing sprinklers that spray down critical buildings and equipment with water.
- Managing vegetation around electrical infrastructure so fire can’t jump from trees to poles.
- Installing fire mesh (a fire-retardant material that expands with heat) on wooden poles.
- Exploring alternative materials for fire-retardant properties in the future.
Billing relief
If you are affected by Northern wildfire evacuations, read important information about your energy bill.