The Canadian province of Manitoba has declared a state of emergency as an intense wildfire season grips the region. Over 17,000 residents have been evacuated amid 22 active wildfires sweeping across the area. Premier Wab Kinew described the crisis as "the largest evacuation in most Manitobans’ living memory." The provincial government has requested and received federal military assistance to respond to the escalating emergency.
Premier Kinew emphasized the scale of the operation, stating, "The military is being called for help here because of the sheer scale of the 17,000 folks that we move relatively quickly." Prime Minister Mark Carney approved the request, enabling additional support for firefighting and evacuation efforts.
Evacuations Impacting Key Communities
The community of Flin Flon stands out as one of the hardest-hit areas. Approximately 5,000 residents were ordered to evacuate by midnight on Tuesday due to an advancing wildfire from neighboring Saskatchewan. Flin Flon Mayor George Fontaine announced his departure alongside residents, saying, "Everybody has to be out by midnight and that includes me. I’m busy packing a couple of things and everybody is getting as organised as we can."
Firefighting operations have faced challenges, including temporary suspension of water bomber flights caused by drone sightings in the affected zones. Despite these hurdles, reinforcements and firefighting resources have been mobilized from across Canada to contain the blazes.
An Alarming Start to Fire Season
The 2025 wildfire season has been particularly severe for Manitoba, with 102 wildfires recorded to date—well above the average of 77 for this time of year. Officials expect the wildfire season, which typically persists from May through September, to remain intense.
Compounding regional wildfire threats, the neighboring province of Alberta is also experiencing escalating fires. A significant blaze near Swan Hills, spanning approximately 1,600 hectares, forced the evacuation of around 1,200 residents on Monday. This incident disrupted local oil and gas operations, with Aspenleaf Energy halting production and shutting in about 4,000 barrels per day of oil equivalent.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing the safety of residents and the containment of wildfires amid challenging conditions.
(With inputs from AP, BBC)
