Wawanesa Insurance has deployed its Mobile Response Unit (MRU) to the evacuee reception center in Winnipeg to support policyholders affected by wildfires in Flin Flon and other parts of northern Manitoba.
The MRU functions as a mobile office during emergencies, equipped with Wi-Fi, a soundproof meeting room, and other features to support on-site service. The vehicle is part of Wawanesa’s broader emergency response capability, which is deployed across Canada in the aftermath of natural disasters.
The MRU is stationed at the Billy Mosienko Arena on Keewatin Street. Staff on site are assisting policyholders with opening claims, answering questions, and distributing care kits. The unit operates daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is expected to remain in place as long as required.
Wawanesa had representatives at the reception center prior to the MRU’s arrival, providing early support to those displaced.
“This is an incredibly difficult and uncertain time for everyone who has been forced to leave their communities,” said Rohith Mascarenhas, Wawanesa’s vice president of the Central Region. “In these moments, every minute matters. Our ability to act quickly to help our members is a symbol of our commitment to being there when they need us most.”
Earlier this wildfire season, Wawanesa deployed the MRU to assist policyholders affected by wildfires in Lac du Bonnet, the Rural Municipality of Alexander, and Nopiming Provincial Park. The unit was set up at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre, where staff supported claims intake, issued per diem payments, and distributed care kits. That deployment is scheduled to continue through Thursday evening.
The latest deployment comes as the wildfire situation in northern Manitoba continues to evolve. A mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for the City of Flin Flon, where approximately 5,000 residents have been displaced. The fire, designated WE024, has grown to nearly 38,000 hectares and is currently classified as out of control, according to provincial officials.
The province has declared a state of emergency, with more than 17,000 people evacuated from multiple communities. Fire suppression efforts have been hindered by dense smoke, which has at times grounded aircraft. Air quality advisories are in effect in several areas due to smoke, with visibility and public health identified as key concerns.
