Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes across Western Canada due to intensifying wildfires, exacerbated by dry, warm, and windy conditions. Manitoba and Saskatchewan are under provincewide states of emergency, with evacuations also ordered in Alberta and British Columbia. Over 180 active wildfires, with more than 100 out of control, have prompted Manitoba to request international assistance, including helicopters from the US and Colombia, and military aid for rescues.
Wildfires force thousands to flee homes in Western Canada
Canada
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes across Western Canada due to intensifying wildfires, exacerbated by dry, warm, and windy conditions. Manitoba and Saskatchewan are under provincewide states of emergency, with evacuations also ordered in Alberta and British Columbia. Over 180 active wildfires, with more than 100 out of control, have prompted Manitoba to request international assistance, including helicopters from the US and Colombia, and military aid for rescues.
Trending- 1 Monday (relative to article): Flin Flon blaze began.
- 2 Friday (relative to article): Wildfires intensified; Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew requested international help; final evacuations in Flin Flon; two more areas in Manitoba ordered to evacuate; 25 active wildfires in Manitoba; 15 fires burned in Saskatchewan; 60 wildfires burning in B.C.; 50 active fires in Alberta.
- 3 Next month: Manitoba and Saskatchewan under provincewide states of emergency.
- 4 This weekend: Other areas told to be ready to flee.
- Thousands evacuated
- Provincewide states of emergency
- Significant property damage/threat
- Air quality alerts
- Strain on emergency services
- Request for international aid
What: Wildfires are forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes across Western Canada.
When: Intensified Friday (relative to article). Began Monday (Flin Flon blaze). Provincewide states of emergency for the next month.
Where: Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia), Flin Flon (Manitoba), Creighton (Saskatchewan), Bakers Narrows (Manitoba), Bissett (Manitoba), Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Manitoba), Cross Lake (Manitoba), Norway House (Manitoba), Mathias Colomb First Nation in Pukatawagan (Manitoba), Winnipeg (Manitoba), Portage la Prairie (Manitoba), Pelican Narrows (Saskatchewan), Hall Lake (Saskatchewan), Brabant Lake (Saskatchewan), Canoe Lake (Saskatchewan), Lower Fishing Lake (Saskatchewan), Piprell Lake (Saskatchewan), East Trout Lake (Saskatchewan), Little Bear Lake (Saskatchewan), Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (Saskatchewan), Whiteswan Bay (Saskatchewan), Prince Albert (Saskatchewan), Peace River Regional District (B.C.), Chipewyan Lake (Alberta), Red Earth Creek (Alberta), Loon Lake (Alberta), Peerless Lake (Alberta), Trout Lake (Alberta), Christina Lake facility (Alberta), Fort McMurray (Alberta).
Why: Dry, warm, and windy temperatures intensified new flares. Leading cause of wildfires is human activity.
How: Wildfires are spreading rapidly, forcing evacuations. Canadian Armed Forces are rescuing residents. Manitoba is requesting international equipment and personnel (helicopters from US and Colombia, firefighters from other Canadian provinces).