Over 17,000 residents across western Manitoba are being evacuated as the province faces a rapidly worsening wildfire crisis, marking one of the largest emergency operations in living memory. Declaring a province-wide state of emergency, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew confirmed that military support has been requested to assist with evacuations and firefighting as dozens of blazes continue to rage out of control.
“This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people’s living memory,” Kinew said during a press briefing on Wednesday, emphasizing the gravity of the crisis. “The scale of the fires, their intensity, and the widespread nature of the threat reflect the growing danger we face from a changing climate.”
Fires Burning Across the Nation
Manitoba’s emergency is part of a larger crisis gripping the country. Canada is currently battling 134 active wildfires across multiple provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Officials estimate that at least half of these fires are out of control, with Manitoba recording the highest number of incidents so far this year.
Fueled by unseasonably warm and dry weather, the wildfires have scorched nearly 200,000 hectares of forest in Manitoba alone this month—three times the average burned area for the same period over the past five years.
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Kirstin Hayward from the Manitoba Wildfire Service confirmed the unprecedented conditions: “Manitoba has the highest fire activity in Canada so far this year, due in part to a prolonged period of warm and dry conditions.”
Communities in Crisis
One of the most affected areas is the town of Flin Flon, a remote mining community with a population of 5,000, located near the Saskatchewan border. Residents were placed on high alert, told to be ready to evacuate with little notice. As of Wednesday evening, the only highway out of the town was packed with vehicles, and local fuel stations had run dry.
Elsaida Alerta, a resident of Flin Flon, described the panic and fear. “It’s major anxiety,” she told CBC. “Especially for somebody who lived in a big city before—never had to evacuate—this is definitely nerve-racking.”
Others echoed similar concerns. Sheryl Matheson, who owns a fishing lodge in Sherridon, northeast of Flin Flon, said her town was encircled by fire. “It was very smoky. You could see the fires four or five kilometers away and moving fast,” she said. “The flames were shooting over 121 feet high, and firefighters couldn’t get close enough to do anything.”
Multiple Indigenous communities and remote northern towns have also been ordered to evacuate. Most evacuees are being transported to Winnipeg, the provincial capital, where emergency shelters are being established. Premier Kinew urged residents and businesses to help: “Companies and communities across Manitoba are being asked to open your doors to those displaced.”
So far, about 1,000 residents from Lynn Lake and the Marcel Colomb First Nation in Manitoba, along with 4,000 people from Pelican Narrows and nearby communities in neighboring Saskatchewan, have already been evacuated.
Tragically, earlier this month, two people in Lac du Bonnet lost their lives after being trapped in a wildfire northeast of Winnipeg.
Federal and Military Support Mobilized
In response to the scale of the disaster, Premier Kinew has formally requested support from Prime Minister Mark Carney. Military aircraft and personnel are being deployed to assist in evacuating remote regions and reinforcing firefighting efforts.
“This is not just a fire in one region,” said Kinew. “We have fires in every region. That is a sign of a changing climate that we are going to have to adapt to.”
The Canadian military’s imminent arrival comes as a firefighter battling the blazes was seriously injured by a falling tree. He is currently receiving hospital treatment.
Climate Change at the Core
Scientists and officials have reiterated that climate change is intensifying Canada’s wildfire seasons, making them more frequent, widespread, and deadly. The nation has already seen record-breaking destruction from fires in recent years, with 2023 previously considered the worst fire season on record.
As temperatures rise and drought conditions persist, experts warn that fire emergencies like this could become the new normal.
“This year is different,” Hayward stressed. “We’re seeing fire behavior that is extreme, fast-moving, and beyond our normal expectations. The climate crisis is here, and its impact is burning through our communities.”
Emergency manitoba Response and Outlook
For now, the priority remains saving lives and securing vulnerable communities. Emergency crews continue to battle flames on multiple fronts, with reinforcements arriving by air and road. The road ahead remains uncertain, but authorities hope that increased coordination and public cooperation can prevent further tragedy.
As Manitoba faces what may become its most severe wildfire season yet, the call for national and international climate action grows louder.
