Manitoba Declares State of Emergency as Wildfires Force Major Evacuations

Winnipeg, Manitoba — A state of emergency has been declared in Manitoba due to rapidly spreading wildfires, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 17,000 residents. Premier Wab Kinew announced this dramatic measure during a news conference on Wednesday, calling it the largest evacuation in most people’s living memory.

The Canadian Armed Forces are being deployed to assist with evacuations and firefighting efforts. Kinew stated that the military’s involvement would expedite evacuation efforts, allowing people to reach safety far more quickly.

Earlier this month, two individuals tragically lost their lives when they were trapped in a wildfire near Winnipeg, underscoring the urgency of the current situation. The victims were identified as Sue and Richard Nowell.

Evacuees will be housed in Winnipeg’s sports venues and community centers, with Premier Kinew assuring residents, “We will get through this difficult period… by working together.”

Residents of Flin Flon have expressed panic as they prepared to flee their homes. Elsaida Alerta, a Flin Flon resident, described the scene as “absolutely smoked out” and admitted to feeling overwhelmed as she packed her belongings.

Dawn Hlady, another evacuee, recounted the emotional impact of seeing her community leave in convoy, calling it “surreal.” The situation remains tense, with many communities advised to prepare for possible evacuation.

As of now, wildfires are raging across Canada, with over 166 active fires reported by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Smoke from these fires is anticipated to drift southward towards Minnesota, prompting air quality alerts in major U.S. cities including Minneapolis and Chicago.

This year has seen a record number of wildfires in Canada, burning over 42 million acres, largely attributed to climate change. Manitoba’s evacuation is part of a larger trend of increasing wildfire risk in Canada, where the Arctic is warming significantly faster than the global average.

Officials are urging those affected to remain calm and follow evacuation orders, highlighting the need for community unity in the face of this crisis.