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Prairie Provinces Declare Emergencies as Canadian Wildfires Escalate

Unprecedented spring heat linked to climate change has fueled fires that have scorched nearly 600,000 hectares in the Prairies.

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Overview

  • Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency on May 30 after evacuating about 2,000 residents as wildfires ran out of control.
  • Manitoba issued an emergency order on May 28 and moved more than 17,000 people from communities across all regions of the province.
  • Canadian military aircraft are deploying to assist with evacuations in remote northern communities and to support firefighting operations.
  • Officials report 163 active wildfires across Canada, with roughly half remaining beyond containment and pushing this spring season into record territory.
  • Authorities say unusually high temperatures and drought conditions driven by climate change have intensified fire behavior in both provinces.