Thousands Evacuated as Wildfires Burn Across Canada
Wildfires in Canada have forced about 17,000 people to leave their homes in the province of Manitoba. Officials said on Saturday that nearly two dozen fires are burning in the area.
Over 5,000 people had to leave the city of Flin Flon, where dry weather and no rain in the forecast are making the situation worse. So far, no buildings have been destroyed in the city, but if the wind changes, the fire could move into town.
On Wednesday, Manitoba declared a state of emergency. Fires are spreading from the northwest to the southeast, causing people in many towns to evacuate. Smoke from the fires is moving into the United States, hurting air quality in places like Minnesota and North Dakota.
Other provinces are also affected. In Alberta, 1,300 people from the town of Swan Hills had to leave. Saskatchewan is also seeing fast-growing fires due to hot and dry weather. Around 8,000 people there have left their homes, and that number may rise to 10,000.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the next week is very important and that the fires will only stop if the weather changes and rain comes.
As of Saturday evening, Canada had 188 active wildfires. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre said 100 of them are out of control.
The smoke is also moving into parts of the Upper Midwest in the U.S. The National Weather Service warned that people, especially those with health problems, should be careful.
Canada’s wildfire season runs from May to September. The worst year was 2023, when smoke filled the air across much of North America for months.
The United States is helping. The U.S. Forest Service sent an air tanker and 150 firefighters to Canada. They’re also sending equipment like hoses and water pumps.
In northern Manitoba, the town of Cranberry Portage lost power because of the fire, and 600 people had to leave. People in nearby towns are being told to get ready to evacuate. “Please start getting ready,” said Lori Forbes, an emergency coordinator, on social media.
Evacuation centers have opened across Manitoba, including one near the U.S. border in Winkler. In Pimicikamak Cree Nation, flights were arranged to take people to Winnipeg because smoke and ash filled the air and a wildfire crossed the main road.
In Winnipeg, public buildings are being used to shelter evacuees. But hotels are full because of other fire evacuees, travelers, and people in town for business or events.
Indigenous leaders in Manitoba are asking the government to give evacuees priority for hotel rooms. Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said this is one of the largest evacuations in the province since the 1990s. She said many children are sleeping on floors, and people are tired and waiting in hallways.
“We need to make sure there is space for our people,” she said.
The fire threatening Flin Flon started Monday near Creighton, Saskatchewan, and quickly spread into Manitoba. Crews are having a hard time stopping the fire. Water bombers can’t always fly because of thick smoke and a drone flying in the area.
About 1,200 people from Creighton were also told to leave. Many have gone to nearby towns like Nipawin. In total, more than 8,000 people have left their homes in Saskatchewan.
