STATE OF EMERGENCY ISSUED IN CANADA’S MANITOBA OVER WORSENING WILDFIRE CRISIS

Thu 29 May 2025:

The Canadian province of Manitoba declared a state of emergency late Wednesday in response to several rapidly spreading wildfires.

“With the wildfires in northern Manitoba intensifying, our government has triggered a provincewide state of emergency to help us through this crisis,” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew told a news conference.

“The safety of Manitobans is, and will always be, our number one priority.”

The state of emergency is initially in effect for 30 days, and could be extended if necessary, according to a statement.

Besides, the city of Flin Flon and the communities of First Nations of Pimicikimak and Mathias Colomb were issued mandatory evacuation orders.

“This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans’ living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,” said Kinew. “I have spoken with the prime minister and we have asked for the support of the Canadian Armed Forces in transporting evacuees. There are hundreds of people who are mobilized to get you to safety and provide help. This is what Manitobans do, and we will get through this.”

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Canada’s wildfire history is shaped by its vast boreal forests, climate, and human activity. Fires have always been part of the ecosystem, with lightning causing about half, burning 85% of the area, while human-caused fires make up the rest.

On average, 8,000 fires burn 2.5 million hectares annually, but extreme years like 1989 (7.6 million hectares) and 2023 (15 million hectares, the worst on record) stand out due to hot, dry conditions and climate change. Historically, fires like the 1825 Miramichi blaze killed hundreds and scorched millions of hectares. Since the 1970s, satellite data improved tracking, revealing fire season lengthening by weeks due to warming.

Fire suppression has led to fuel buildup, worsening modern blazes, while Indigenous controlled burns, once common, are now restricted.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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