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The conclusion of provincial fire investigator Rodney D. Forbes:

“Due to the fact that the bat cavers (students) were the only individuals that were in the area of the fire on the date and time it was started, and the student (name redacted) had ignited his toilet paper and left the area, it can be concluded that the fire originated from the activities of the bat cavers. The student did admit to starting the toilet paper, indicated he went to the area of origin, and was the only individual identified by all the people on-site as leaving the group, it can be concluded that (name redacted) from the Neelin High School group is responsible for igniting the fire. However, due to being instructed by the high school instructor (name redacted), it is partly his responsibility as well.”

What the province says

Manitoba Conservation issued a brief statement in late September that contradicts what many people in the Grand Rapids area are saying about the ongoing loss of wildlife and about the destroyed forest they expect will take several generations to come back:

“Forest fires can pose significant challenges to communities, and the Manitoba Conservation Fire Program works to detect and suppress fires in the province. An investigation to determine the cause of the fire was undertaken by Natural Resources officers, and the results of that investigation were shared with the First Nation and the school division. Forest fires are stressful events for communities, and Natural Resources officers have worked with the community in fighting and recovering from the fire. Fortunately, it appears that important elements for the community, such as fur production, have continued at a similar rate as before the fire. Further investigation and punitive measures were deemed unnecessary. Forests rebound from forest-fire events and regrowth would be expected after a few years has elapsed.”

Provincial government sign posted on the west side of Highway 6 north of Grand Rapids:

“The Norris Lake Fire. We all paid the price $4.5 million. Please be careful in Manitoba’s forests.”