A state of emergency has been declared in two Canadian provinces due to a series of wildfires. Prime Minister Mark Carney has agreed to send the military to help control the fires and assist residents in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Manitoba Premier Wob Kinnew said, "This is the largest evacuation of people in most people's lives."
He said that 17,000 people from various communities have been forced to flee due to the fires.
Kinnew said, "The military is being called in to help here because of the relatively rapid evacuation of 17,000 people. I am pleased to report that Prime Minister Mark Carney has agreed to this request.
The declaration of a state of emergency helps officials evacuate and provide shelter.
Earlier, all 5,000 residents of the town of Flin Flon, Manitoba, were ordered to evacuate due to the fires. Residents were told to flee south with their essentials and aim to be out by midnight. The hospital has already started sending the most demanding patients.
Flin Flon Mayor George Fontaine said, "Everyone has to be out by midnight, and that includes me." "I'm busy packing a few things and everyone is getting as organized as possible."
He said people are planning to take Highway 10 because that's the only route out.
"It ends in Winnipeg, so we'll see what happens," Fontaine said. Flin Flon is about 400 miles (643 kilometers) northwest of the provincial capital, Winnipeg.
The wildfire started just north of neighboring Saskatchewan on Monday and has exploded in size. 1,200 residents of Creighton, Saskatchewan, have also been ordered to evacuate.
Crews initially struggled to contain the fire as water bombers were grounded after a drone flew nearby.
Manitoba has 22 active wildfires. Officials said firefighters from across Canada are helping to put out the fires. A Parks Canada firefighter was critically injured Sunday.
Manitoba has had 102 wildfires so far this year, compared to the province's average of 77 during this time period. Officials said there was 'much more' than just wildfires.
Canada's wildfire season runs from May to September. Its worst wildfire season was in 2023, which smothered much of North America for months with dangerous smoke.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan government has declared a province-wide state of emergency as wildfires raging across the province's northern region have forced thousands of people from their homes.
Premier Scott Moe made the announcement at a news conference in Prince Albert on Thursday.
"The situation our northern residents, communities and wildland firefighters are facing today is something we've never faced before, or perhaps ever," Moe said.
"We need some rain and we need it as soon as possible. In light of the uncertainty in the forecast, we are certainly taking every measure possible to prepare our province and prepare our communities for the days ahead."
The state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days and could be extended if necessary.
"The situation is going to get worse before it gets better," Moe said. "That's why we're declaring a provincial state of emergency," said Mo.
The Saskatchewan government has declared a province-wide state of emergency as wildfires across the country's north have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, but it could be extended.
As of 3 p.m. CST Thursday, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) said there were 17 active wildfires in the province, with only three believed to be under control.
SPSA President Marlo Pritchard said aircraft from Quebec and Alaska are now working in Saskatchewan, and firefighters from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have been dispatched.
He reminded the public not to fly drones around active wildfires.
"Stay away from the fire at this time and let first responders do their job," Pritchard said, adding that illegal drone flights can delay or prevent aerial firefighting operations.
SPSA It is also considering a temporary ban on all-terrain and utility-duty vehicles. The agency said some active wildfires have been caused by wildfires spreading from ATVs.
“At this point, we want people to stay out of the woods in these extremely dry, dangerous conditions,” Pritchard said.
Moe made an appeal to inactive firefighters across the province.
“For those who have training and certification in wildland firefighting, we ask that you report to your nearest firebase and identify yourself as available and we are going to try to find a northern community to protect you,” Moe said.
Manitoba declared a state of emergency on Wednesday. Moe said he has spoken with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinnewie to see how the two provinces can help each other.