Camilla Jessen
Over 17,000 displaced in Manitoba and Saskatchewan; air quality alerts issued in northern U.S.
Tens of thousands of people in Canada have been forced to flee their homes as massive wildfires rage across the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, sending thick smoke south toward U.S. cities and raising fears of another record-breaking fire season.
Canadian authorities declared states of emergency as 17,000 residents were ordered to evacuate — one of the largest displacements in Manitoba’s recent history.
“This is a very serious situation,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on Thursday, noting the grim weather forecast, as cited by The Washington Post. “It doesn’t look good. There’s no rain in the forecast.”
Cities Brace for Impact
With fires still out of control and growing rapidly, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew confirmed the Canadian military has been called in to assist.
The scale of evacuations is unprecedented in the province, with most evacuees being relocated to Winnipeg.
“This is a moment of fear and uncertainty,” said Kinew, addressing evacuees. “But your fellow Manitobans will welcome you. We’ll get through this the way we always do — by working together.”
A 30-day state of emergency has been declared in both provinces as the fires continue to burn through hundreds of thousands of acres.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), Manitoba has already lost 491,000 acres (nearly 200,000 hectares) to wildfires this year, while nearly 160 active fires are burning nationwide — 83 of which are labeled “out of control.”
U.S. Cities on Alert as Smoke Spreads South
Strong north-to-south winds are pushing smoke across the border. Northern Minnesota is expected to see the worst air quality on Thursday, with conditions deteriorating across cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, and Detroit by Friday afternoon.
The U.S. National Weather Service has warned of potential reductions in air quality and visibility across the Midwest. Sensitive groups — including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions — are being urged to stay indoors if air quality alerts are issued.
No Rain in Sight
The fires are being fueled by dry conditions and persistent drought in parts of Manitoba. With no significant rainfall expected for at least another week, fire officials say the situation could worsen.
“We’re just kind of in a panic here,” Elsaida Alerta, a resident of the evacuated town of Flin Flon, told CBC Radio. “The town is absolutely smoked out. We can barely breathe.”
So far this year, at least 1.54 million acres (more than 620,000 hectares) have burned across Canada. While that’s well below last year’s historic total of 42 million acres, officials worry the 2024 fire season is ramping up earlier than expected — and could once again bring severe air pollution to parts of the U.S.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed federal support is available, saying on X that he remains in “close contact” with Kinew.
A study released last year warned that climate change has doubled the frequency and size of extreme wildfires globally since 2003, with Canada often among the hardest-hit regions.
