Over 25,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes across Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan as wildfires continue to rage in parts of Canada, with smoke drifting into the U.S. and worsening air quality.
Manitoba has been hit the hardest, declaring a state of emergency. About 17,000 people have been evacuated there, including over 5,000 from the town of Flin Flon. Fires in the area knocked out power and forced the nearby community of Cranberry Portage to evacuate 600 residents. Meanwhile, Alberta and Saskatchewan have also seen thousands flee, and officials warn more could be displaced.
Thick smoke from the fires has spread south into U.S. states like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana, pushing air quality to “unhealthy” levels in some areas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Health officials are warning that smoky conditions can change quickly and pose serious health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions.
Firefighters and emergency crews from across Canada and even the U.S., including teams from Alaska, Oregon, and Arizona, have joined the battle. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said resources are stretched thin and that the next week is critical. “We need soaking rains to bring these fires under control,” Moe said.
The U.S. is also offering help, sending an air tanker and 150 firefighters to Alberta. Meanwhile, in Idaho, a separate wildfire has burned over 100 acres, prompted evacuations, and destroyed at least one structure.
Evacuation centers have opened across Manitoba, including in Winnipeg and as far south as Winkler, near the U.S. border. But space is limited. Manitoba Indigenous leaders are urging the government to ensure evacuees have access to hotel rooms, which are filling up fast.
“This is one of the largest evacuations we’ve seen since the 1990s,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “Families are sleeping on floors. We need more support.”
As the fires rage on, officials say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the blazes can be contained, or if more communities will be at risk.
