FLIN FLON, Manitoba (AP) — Over 25,000 residents across three provinces have been evacuated as numerous wildfires remain active, adversely affecting air quality in both Canada and the United States, officials reported on Sunday.
The majority of the evacuations took place in Manitoba, where a state of emergency was declared last week. As of Saturday, approximately 17,000 people in Manitoba had been evacuated alongside 1,300 from Alberta. Meanwhile, around 8,000 residents in Saskatchewan have also been relocated, with leaders warning that these numbers could increase.
The smoke generated by the wildfires has worsened air quality and reduced visibility, impacting areas in Canada and extending into several U.S. states near the border.
Saskatchewan’s Public Safety Agency raised alarms about fluctuating air quality, stating, “Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase.”
Premier Scott Moe of Saskatchewan highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by hot, dry weather, which is intensifying the fires and jeopardizing nearby communities. He remarked on the necessity of urgent assistance, declaring, “The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north.”
In Manitoba, more than 5,000 evacuees hail from Flin Flon, a community situated nearly 645 kilometers (400 miles) northwest of Winnipeg. In northern Manitoba, a fire has caused power outages in Cranberry Portage, leading to a mandatory evacuation order for around 600 residents on Saturday.
The wildfire threatening Flin Flon began a week ago near Creighton, Saskatchewan, but quickly spread across the provincial border into Manitoba. Fire crews have faced difficulties in containment due to heavy smoke and the interference of drone activity, which has periodically grounded water bombers equipped to combat the flames.
In response to the crisis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has dispatched an air tanker to Alberta and is sending 150 firefighters and equipment to aid Canadian efforts.
The adverse effects of smoke have also reached parts of the U.S., with air quality being deemed “unhealthy” in North Dakota and certain areas of Montana, Minnesota, and South Dakota, as reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow page.
Meteorologist Bryan Jackson from the National Weather Service indicated that additional rounds of Canadian smoke are expected to permeate U.S. airspace in the upcoming week.
Separately, a fire in Idaho, a state bordering Canada, has consumed 50 acres (20 hectares) and has resulted in road closures, according to Idaho State Police.
Evacuation centers have been established throughout Manitoba, with some centers located as far south as Winkler, just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the U.S. border. Public buildings in Winnipeg are also being opened to accommodate evacuees, although hotels are already filled with fire refugees, tourists, and business travelers.
Indigenous leaders in Manitoba voiced concerns during a Saturday news conference about the lack of available hotel rooms for evacuees, urging the provincial government to prioritize these individuals when it comes to hotel accommodations.
Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs reflected on the severe situation, stating that this represents one of the most significant evacuations the province has faced since the 1990s.
“It’s really sad to see our children having to sleep on floors. People are sitting, waiting in hallways, waiting outside. Right now, we just need people to come together. People are tired,” Wilson said during the conference.
Canada’s wildfire season typically runs from May to September, with 2023 marking its worst-ever season. The devastating fires during this period have blanketed much of North America with hazardous smoke for extended durations.
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