Mantario Trail's Future Uncertain After Wildfire

0:00Almost a year after a wildfire ripped through Manitoba's White Shell Provincial Park, the future of the 63-kilometer Manitario Trail hangs in. The balance. This province's top spot for distance hiking got hit hard by the EA 063 blaze back in May, 2025, scorching roughly half the path. It's been shut down for 11 months now, and Park's officials can't say for sure if it'll reopen next year. They've done an initial check and found varying damage, with dead trees posing real risks. They're way more likely to topple and mess up campsites. No word yet on the worst hit spots or specific sites. But starting this summer, crews plan to clear those hazard trees and add signs to guide folks better. Folks aren't staying away entirely. A skier from the Alpine Club of Canada hit the wilderness zone in February, reaching the Montario cabin on the lake. It held up fine amid pockets of green. He wants clearer timelines from the province and says volunteers are itching to help rebuild.

1:00There's also a fresh bridge over the White Shell River near the southern start, built before the fire as part of upgrades. Official skipped questions on it, but it hints at some progress amid the uncertainty. Decisions on partial or full access for 2026 will hinge on how that safety where goes, so hikers keep eyes peeled for updates as the province pushes forward. That's your update from Calgary News today, powered by AI.