Wildfire emergency expands in western Canada, thousands evacuate

A wildfire emergency that began in western Canada has escalated, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes as it spreads to a new province.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe declared a state of emergency, warning that the situation is unlike anything residents and firefighters have faced before.

"The conditions that our northern residents, communities and wildland firefighters are facing today are as severe or quite likely unlike anything we have faced in quite some time, if not ever,' he said.

Currently, 14 wildfires are raging uncontrollably in Saskatchewan, while the neighbouring province of Manitoba is also under a state of emergency after 17,000 people were ordered to evacuate due to multiple fires.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced the deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces to assist with evacuations and firefighting efforts.

Many evacuees will be sheltered in sports venues and community centres in Winnipeg and other cities. Kinew described the moment as one "of fear and uncertainty."

The wildfires have spread across Canada, with more than 166 fires burning in provinces including Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Out of these, 84 fires are classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

The smoke has begun to cross into the United States, triggering air quality warnings in cities such as Minneapolis, Detroit, Green Bay, and Chicago.

In Manitoba, residents under evacuation orders are struggling with the harsh conditions. Elsaida Alerta, leaving the city of Flin Flon, described the air as so smoky she could "barely breathe" and said, "The town is absolutely smoked out here... We're just kind of in a panic here."

Another resident, Dawn Hlady from Creighton, described the sight of the entire town evacuating together as "surreal" and "really emotional."

The fires have already taken lives this month. A couple, Sue and Richard Nowell, died in a wildfire near Winnipeg while trapped at their home during a mandatory evacuation.

Canada experienced its worst wildfire season last year, with over 42 million acres burned—an area larger than England and more than twice the previous record.

Experts link the increasing severity of wildfires to climate change, which is hitting Canada hard. The country is warming twice as fast as the global average, and its Arctic region is warming three times faster.