More than 17 000 people were evacuated across Manitoba, Canada, on May 28, 2025, after the provincial government declared a state of emergency due to 22 active wildfires, 11 of which remained out of control. The evacuation is considered the largest in recent memory for the province and is expected to require significant resources and coordination among all levels of government.
The Manitoba government declared a State of Emergency on May 28, as multiple wildfires burned across the province.
This followed the evacuation of over 17 000 residents across the province on May 28, including those from the city of Flin Flon.
“This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans’ living memory, and it will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
“I have spoken with the prime minister, and we have requested the support of the Canadian Armed Forces in transporting evacuees. There are hundreds of people mobilized to bring you to safety and provide assistance. This is what Manitobans do, and we will get through this,” Kinew added.
The State of Emergency is initially in effect for 30 days and may be extended if necessary. According to the premier, this ensures that federal, provincial, and local resources can be delivered in a coordinated response to help protect Manitobans.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has announced a provincewide state of emergency due to wildfires.
At least 22 wildfires are burning in the province, 11 of which have been reported as out of control. The largest, named EA061, is located 1 km (0.6 miles) from the Bird River in the eastern part of the province and has burned more than 124 000 ha (306 425 acres) of land. It remains out of control.
Provincial Road (PR) 315 is closed and blocked at Poplar Bay Road in the Bird River area, with no travel allowed beyond that point to Bird River and up to PR 314 and Bissett.
Huge Fires raging in western Canadian province of Manitoba, where authorities declared a state of emergency and 17,000 people evacuated after forest fires.
Fire EA063, located on the Ontario border near Ingolf, was out of control at approximately 3 771 ha (9 319 acres) on the Manitoba side and approximately 31 276 ha (77 267 acres) in total. The fire originated in Ontario and is also designated as KEN#020.
Fire EA062, located 6 km (4 miles) from Lac du Bonnet, was approximately 4 008 ha (9 904 acres) in size and was reported as under control.
In the western region of the province, Fire WE017, located 14 km (8.7 miles) from Sherridon, is approximately 40 000 ha (98 842 acres) and remains out of control. Sherridon has declared a state of local emergency and has been evacuated. Fire WE024, located 2 km (1 mile) from Flin Flon, is approximately 20 000 ha (49 421 acres) and was also reported as out of control.
Fire NO002, located 6 km (4 miles) from the town of Lynn Lake in the northern region of the province, was out of control at approximately 7 064 ha (17 458 acres). The town has declared a State of Emergency and has been evacuated.
Fire NO005, located 5 km (3 miles) from Jenpeg Generating Station, was estimated at approximately 3 290 ha (8 131 acres) and was out of control. Fire NO006, located 5 km (3 miles) from Cross Lake, was estimated at approximately 1 500 ha (3 707 acres) and was also reported as out of control. The community of Cross Lake has declared a state of local emergency.
A total of 102 fires have burned through Manitoba in 2025, well above the average for this date of 78 total fires for the time period. Over 130 firefighters, 30 helicopters, 8 water bombers, 6 other aircraft, and 26 other pieces of heavy equipment are currently being used to suppress the active fires in the province.
Reference: watchers.news
