The Province of Manitoba is providing several fire departments with new wildland firefighting equipment, including several in the Parkland.
Of the 32 fire departments being given the new equipment, there are 12 in the Parkland:
- Westlake Fire Department
- Keeseekoowenin
- Waywayseecappo
- Roblin Fire & Rescue
- Inglis Fire Department
- Alonsa Fire Department
- Winnipegosis Fire & Rescue
- Amaranth Fire Department
- Sandy Lake Fire Department
- Rorketon FD (RM of Lakeshore)
- Swan Valley FD
- Rossburn FD
Each of these fire departments will be getting Fire Skids - a 1,000 litre water tank on a welded base, with a pump and forestry hose. They are critical components of wildland firefighting, as they are very mobile, and can be very easily secured to suitable trucks or other vehicles.
The equipment comes as the result of a partnership between the Manitoba government and GlobalMedic, an Ontario charity, to identify fire departments across the province that are in need of additional wildland firefighting gear. The fire departments getting the new equipment have been identified as priority departments, where wildland fire risk is greatest. During the 2025 wildfire season, the Manitoba Fire Service was provided 68 Fire Skids.
