More than 17,000 residents in western Manitoba, Canada, are currently being evacuated due to unprecedented wildfires, marking the worst start to the wildfire season in years. The province has declared a state of emergency, with Premier Wab Kinew describing this evacuation as the largest witnessed in many people’s lifetimes.
Premier Kinew has called upon the Canadian military for assistance, and military aircraft are expected to be deployed imminently to aid in evacuating those from at-risk northern communities. The fires are a stark reminder of the climate crisis, which has seen an increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires across Canada, including record-breaking incidents in 2023.
As of now, there are 134 active wildfires across the country, with half of them classified as out of control. The evacuations encompass the town of Flin Flon, where approximately 5,000 residents have been warned to prepare for immediate departure due to a rapidly advancing wildfire threatening the community.
Residents have described their experiences, with Sheryl Matheson from the town of Sherridon mentioning alarming smoke conditions and flames towering over 121 feet, making it impossible for firefighters to approach the blaze. Elsaida Alerta of Flin Flon expressed her anxiety as she prepared to evacuate, discussing the logistical challenges of evacuating with limited resources on the only highway still open.
Premier Kinew emphasized the widespread nature of the wildfires, noting it is a serious indicator of a changing climate that necessitates adaptation. The Manitoba wildfire service has reported that nearly 200,000 hectares of forest have been burned within the last month alone, which is triple the annual average from the past five years. The province is experiencing the highest fire activity in Canada this year, a situation exacerbated by prolonged warm and dry conditions.
Earlier evacuations included around 1,000 residents from Lynn Lake and Marcel Colomb First Nation, as well as 4,000 individuals from Pelican Narrows in Saskatchewan. Tragically, a firefighter has been critically injured by a falling tree while combating the blazes.
In response to the crisis, emergency shelters are being established, and communities are urged to offer shelter to those displaced. This sense of community is a silver lining amid the chaos, highlighting the resilience and solidarity of Manitobans.
While the situation is dire, there remains hope in the collective action being taken to overcome these challenges through community support, assistance from military resources, and a commitment to adapt to the ongoing climate crisis.