The Canadian province of Manitoba has recently issued a state of emergency. This decision comes as wildfires continue to increase, requiring mass evacuations across the entire West. As the crisis unfolds, Premier Wab Kinew has characterized the situation as the largest evacuation Manitoba has experienced in most people’s living memory.
This year already, Manitoba has seen 102 wildfires, well above the provincial average of 77 fires at this point in time. Currently, there are 22 active wildfires posing a significant threat to communities throughout the region. In Flin Flon, officials have ordered all of the town’s 5,000 residents to evacuate as an approaching fire continues to spread.
Flin Flon Mayor George Fontaine emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Everybody has to be out by midnight and that includes me.” As residents hurriedly packed their belongings, he added, “I’m busy packing a couple of things and everybody is getting as organized as we can.”
The flames have prompted the evacuation of nearly 17,000 people from more than a dozen communities along the California-Oregon border. That all changed dramatically on Monday when a fire previously identified in neighbouring Saskatchewan exploded in size, sparking a dramatic and hellish situation. In Creighton, Saskatchewan, population 1,200, responders placed them under evacuation order.
Premier Kinew emphasized that firefighters from all over Canada are bringing their skills to bear on stopping the advancing flames. Tragically, a Parks Canada firefighter died from injuries suffered while fighting the fire on Sunday.
Now Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a clear commitment to build out local capacity. We expect he will send military personnel to support firefighting efforts across the Province. This final decision is particularly welcome as scores of communities find themselves in the path of advancing fire and smoke.
Flin Flon is located almost 400 miles (643 km) northwest of Winnipeg, the provincial capital. The wildfire season as it stands now runs from May through September. This year, Manitoba suffered through its most severe wildfire season on record, producing dangerous smoke that affected the air quality of much of North America for weeks.
As the situation continues to unfold, officials are still very much on alert and strongly encouraging residents to be prepared and take appropriate safety measures.
