The province of Manitoba has officially declared a state of emergency due to an alarming surge in wildfires, with over 100 active blazes reported on Friday. This year, a staggering 2.5 million acres have already been burned, leading experts to project that Manitoba may experience its most extensive wildfire damage since 1994.
The provincial wildfire season, which typically runs from March through October, is reaching unprecedented levels this summer due to rising temperatures. The blazes, primarily triggered by lightning strikes, have created chaotic conditions. On Friday morning, many of these fires were classified as out of control, posing significant challenges for firefighting efforts.
Recently, nine communities, including Snow Lake and the Garden Hill First Nation, have been subjected to mandatory evacuation orders. Over 4,000 residents from the Garden Hill reservation were evacuated and are being accommodated in various facilities, including Winnipeg's Billy Mosienko Arena and the RBC Convention Center.
Premier Wab Kinew emphasized that the emergency declaration will provide access to more resources for sheltering displaced residents. Additionally, he announced that U.S. firefighters have joined the local teams to combat the flames. In a recent statement, Kinew condemned certain U.S. Congressional members for attempting to politicize the wildfire crisis after they penned a letter to the Canadian government seeking mitigation measures, citing concerns about smoke affecting American states.
This is not the first time Manitoba has faced a wildfire crisis this year. In May, an earlier emergency declaration was made after a wildfire tragedy claimed two lives and forced 30,000 individuals to evacuate in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As the province grapples with these wildfires, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared as conditions continue to evolve.
