Extreme Weather Takes Heavy Toll on Campgrounds in Ontario and Manitoba

Wildfires burning across northwestern Ontario have forced residents and business owners to remain on alert as dangerous conditions continue.

Victoria Lafreniere, owner of Pasha Lake Cabins, located about 220 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, described the wildfire conditions as extremely severe, with dark red skies and embers falling around the property. At one point, a wildfire burned just four kilometres away, leaving staff preparing for a possible evacuation.

Although conditions have improved in recent days, the business remains on standby in case the situation worsens.

Tourism Revenue Takes a Major Hit

Lafreniere said the ongoing wildfire threat has significantly affected her fishing lodge’s business.

Despite expecting a fully booked season, numerous guests have cancelled reservations due to concerns about wildfire smoke, poor air quality and uncertainty surrounding the fires. She said occupancy has dropped to less than half of what was originally expected, with additional cancellations for the remainder of the season.

Across Canada, more than 950 wildfires remain active, including nearly 200 in Ontario, prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada to issue air quality warnings in several regions.

Flooding Damages Manitoba Campground

While Ontario faces wildfire challenges, western Manitoba is dealing with severe flooding.

Karen Goraluk, owner of Asessippi Beach and Campground along the Shell River, said two major floods within three weeks washed away much of the property.

The flooding destroyed 14 of the campground’s 22 campsites, leaving only eight usable sites. As a result, she does not expect the campground to reopen this summer because the remaining capacity is insufficient to sustain operations.

Campers Struggle to Find Available Campsites

Despite weather-related disruptions, campsite demand remains strong.

Winnipeg resident Alicia Mitchell said her family was unable to secure a campsite anywhere in Manitoba for the summer and instead booked camping trips outside the province.

She advises campers to plan well in advance, use cancellation notification systems and be prepared when reservation windows open to improve their chances of securing a site.

Wildfires in Ontario and flooding in Manitoba are creating significant challenges for campground operators, tourism businesses and campers alike.

As extreme weather continues to impact outdoor recreation, businesses face financial losses while travelers are encouraged to plan ahead and stay informed about changing conditions.