Photo: Government of Manitoba / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
Thousands of residents have been evacuated from Canadian provinces as wildfires continue to spread, impacting air quality in parts of the United States. More than 25,000 people have been evacuated across Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Manitoba declared a state of emergency, with 17,000 people evacuated by Saturday (May 31), including over 5,000 from Flin Flon.
The fires have led to unhealthy air quality levels in U.S. states like North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. The smoke is causing health risks and reducing visibility, prompting warnings from officials in Saskatchewan.
Efforts to combat the fires are underway, with support from firefighters and equipment from other provinces and U.S. states, including Alaska, Oregon, and Arizona. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed gratitude for the assistance and emphasized the need for a change in weather patterns to help control the fires.
In Manitoba, the fires have disrupted power in Cranberry Portage, forcing a mandatory evacuation of about 600 residents. Evacuation centers have been set up, but accommodation is scarce, with many evacuees sleeping on floors and waiting in hallways. Manitoba’s Indigenous leaders have urged the government to prioritize hotel rooms for evacuees.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has deployed resources to assist in firefighting efforts in Canada. Meanwhile, a fire in Idaho has burned at least 100 acres, leading to road closures and some evacuations.