Manitoba Declares Emergency as Wildfires Force Evacuations

The Canadian province of Manitoba has declared a 30-day state of emergency as fast-moving wildfires continue to spread across its northern regions, forcing mass evacuations and prompting a call for federal support.

“With the wildfires in northern Manitoba intensifying, our government has triggered a provincewide state of emergency to help us through this crisis,” Premier Wab Kinew said during a news conference late Wednesday.
“The safety of Manitobans is, and will always be, our number one priority.”

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for the city of Flin Flon as well as the First Nations communities of Pimicikamak and Mathias Colomb. The provincial government is coordinating efforts to relocate residents and provide emergency assistance.

“This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans’ living memory,” Kinew added. “It will require significant resources and cooperation from all levels of government.”

The premier confirmed that he had spoken with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and requested support from the Canadian Armed Forces to assist in transporting evacuees and providing logistical aid.

“There are hundreds of people mobilized to get you to safety,” Kinew assured. “This is what Manitobans do — we help each other. And we will get through this.”

Authorities have warned that the emergency period could be extended if conditions worsen, with additional communities at risk as high winds and dry conditions continue to fuel the fires.