Over 17,000 evacuated in Manitoba amid fast-moving wildfires; military called in as province faces worst fire season in years.
Manitoba is facing one of the most alarming wildfire emergencies in its history, prompting a province-wide state of emergency and the evacuation of over 17,000 residents as blazes rage out of control across western Canada.
Premier Wab Kinew confirmed the move in a press briefing, calling it the largest evacuation the province has experienced in decades. “This is something few in Manitoba have seen in their lifetimes,” he stated.
Military Deployment and Mass Relocation Underway
Premier Kinew has formally requested federal military assistance to support evacuation and firefighting operations. He confirmed that military aircraft are being deployed to help airlift residents from remote northern communities, with thousands expected to be transported to Winnipeg, the provincial capital.
The call for military aid follows a week of intensifying wildfires that have spread rapidly due to unusually dry and warm conditions.
Fires Spread Across Provinces, Threatening Multiple Communities
The wildfire emergency is not isolated. As of Wednesday, Canada is battling 134 active wildfires nationwide — with nearly half deemed out of control — across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
In Manitoba, 22 fires are currently active. Towns like Flin Flon, home to 5,000 people, are on high alert. Residents were told to prepare for immediate evacuation as flames approached the mining town, named after a fictional character from early 20th-century literature.
Residents Share Harrowing Accounts of Escape
For those living closest to the fires, the experience has been terrifying.
Sheryl Matheson, a lodge owner from Sherridon, said fires were visible just 4–5 km away, with flames towering 120 feet high. “It was overwhelming. The smoke was thick, and crews couldn’t get close enough to fight it,” she said.
Another evacuee, Elsaida Alerta, spoke of the panic in Flin Flon. “I’ve never had to evacuate before—it’s nerve-racking,” she told CBC. She described packed roads and fuel shortages, adding: “We grabbed essentials, meds, pet supplies, and left—hoping for the best.”
Climate Crisis Behind Canada’s Escalating Fire Seasons
Experts link the increasing intensity of wildfires in Canada to the broader climate crisis. This year, Manitoba has already lost nearly 200,000 hectares of forest, triple the annual average over the last five years.
Kirstin Hayward of the Manitoba Wildfire Service noted the region has seen the highest fire activity in Canada this year, driven by prolonged warm and dry spells.
Premier Kinew emphasized that fires are now affecting all regions of the province — a rare and troubling development. “It’s no longer a single-region issue. This is the new climate reality we must confront,” he said.
Emergency Services Stretched; Firefighter Injured
Tragically, a firefighter was seriously injured by a falling tree during suppression efforts and is currently hospitalized.
Meanwhile, emergency shelters are being established, and the province is urging communities and companies to assist in housing displaced residents. The spirit of solidarity is vital, Kinew added: “If you can open your doors, now is the time.”
Earlier this month, two lives were lost in a wildfire northeast of Winnipeg, highlighting the deadly risks facing rural communities.
A Long Fire Season Still to Come
With summer still ahead, officials fear the worst may not yet be over. While firefighting resources are being expanded, the province warns that more evacuations could follow if current trends continue.
For now, Manitoba stands united in its response — but the events unfolding this week may serve as a wake-up call for the escalating impact of climate change on Canadian life.
