Evacuations intensified in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan as devastating wildfires continued to threaten communities and produce heavy smoke. On Saturday, a mandatory evacuation order was issued for the approximately 600 residents of Cranberry Portage after wildfires knocked out the community’s power—a situation expected to persist for days. Nearby smaller communities were also placed on high alert with a two-hour evacuation notice. Emergency coordinator Lori Forbes emphasized the urgency for residents to find alternative accommodations, highlighting limited availability in shelters and hotels, urging people to make arrangements with family or friends.
The evacuation of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation escalated over the weekend as authorities prepared to relocate evacuees to Winnipeg via flights. Chief David Monias reported that the wildfire had crossed the main road, leaving the area engulfed in smoke and ash. Indigenous leaders, including Monias, held a press conference urging politicians, like Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Wab Kinew, to prioritize hotel accommodations for displaced evacuees. They pointed out that many hotel rooms in receiving cities were fully booked, making it increasingly difficult for people to find safe temporary housing.
This situation marks one of the largest evacuations in Manitoba since the 1990s, as noted by Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. She expressed sadness over the dire conditions faced by evacuees, especially children forced to sleep on floors or wait in hallways for assistance. With about 17,000 Manitobans displaced by the fires, Wilson stressed the necessity of providing adequate space for those affected, indicating a collective need for community support in these challenging times.
In Flin Flon, a city housing 5,000 residents that had already undergone evacuation, an uncontrolled wildfire continued to threaten its outskirts. Although there were no reported structure fires as of Saturday morning, officials remained concerned about the potential for changing winds to direct flames toward the city. In the absence of rain in the forecast, the risk to communities in the Flin Flon region and beyond remained high, placing immense pressure on emergency services and resources.
As the wildfires spread, additional emergency centers were established across Manitoba to accommodate evacuees, extending as far south as Winkler, located north of the U.S. border. Meanwhile, other provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta experienced similar challenges, with around 1,300 residents displaced in Swan Hills, Alberta. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe warned that ongoing hot, dry weather conditions could see the current number of evacuees—around 8,000—rise to approximately 10,000.
In light of this escalating crisis, Premier Moe stressed the critical nature of the next few days as they await potentially favorable weather changes to aid firefighting efforts. He cautioned residents to exercise caution to prevent further flare-ups. While Manitoba’s fire bulletin suggested a slight chance of rain, there were accompanying risks of thunderstorms and strong winds that could worsen fire conditions, showcasing the precarious situation as authorities worked tirelessly to mitigate the impacts of the wildfires on affected communities.
