Fires ravaging Manitoba have led to emergency declarations across the province, with communities at risk and thousands urgently evacuated. Premier Wab Kinew emphasizes the urgency of the situation as the Canadian military steps in to assist.
State of Emergency Declared in Manitoba as Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations
State of Emergency Declared in Manitoba as Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations
Severe wildfires sweep through Manitoba, prompting the largest evacuation in recent memory with over 17,000 residents ordered to leave.
Out-of-control wildfires have engulfed parts of Manitoba, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency and issue evacuation orders for more than 17,000 residents. The crisis has escalated, particularly affecting the northern and eastern regions, including the city of Flin Flon and nearby First Nations. Premier Wab Kinew held a press conference on Wednesday night urging residents to relocate to urban centers like Winnipeg, which is providing emergency assistance and temporary housing for those displaced.
“This is the largest evacuation that Manitoba will have seen in most people’s living memory,” Kinew stated, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Canadian military is being engaged to assist with evacuations, including conducting emergency flights, due to the overwhelming scale of the fires.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the city of Flin Flon and the surrounding First Nations of Pimicikamak and Mathias Colomb, with officials urging residents to leave immediately. Mayor George Fontaine of Flin Flon indicated that everyone needed to evacuate by midnight, noting that they were in the process of organizing personal belongings as quickly as possible.
As of this week, 22 fires were documented across the province, with 11 classified as uncontrollable. The devastating fire near Flin Flon has consumed about 50,000 acres, while another blaze near Sherridon has spread over 100,000 acres. Tragically, earlier this month, two individuals lost their lives when they were trapped in a small western town due to the fires.
“This is a moment of fear and uncertainty,” Kinew addressed the residents in the evacuation zone. “But I want to assure you, your fellow Manitobans will welcome you. We will navigate this challenging period together, as we always have.”
“This is the largest evacuation that Manitoba will have seen in most people’s living memory,” Kinew stated, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Canadian military is being engaged to assist with evacuations, including conducting emergency flights, due to the overwhelming scale of the fires.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the city of Flin Flon and the surrounding First Nations of Pimicikamak and Mathias Colomb, with officials urging residents to leave immediately. Mayor George Fontaine of Flin Flon indicated that everyone needed to evacuate by midnight, noting that they were in the process of organizing personal belongings as quickly as possible.
As of this week, 22 fires were documented across the province, with 11 classified as uncontrollable. The devastating fire near Flin Flon has consumed about 50,000 acres, while another blaze near Sherridon has spread over 100,000 acres. Tragically, earlier this month, two individuals lost their lives when they were trapped in a small western town due to the fires.
“This is a moment of fear and uncertainty,” Kinew addressed the residents in the evacuation zone. “But I want to assure you, your fellow Manitobans will welcome you. We will navigate this challenging period together, as we always have.”
