Wildfires in Manitoba have ignited a crisis, prompting the province to declare its second state of emergency this year. With over 100 active blazes raging, officials report that approximately 2.5 million acres have already been scorched in 2025, setting the province on course for its most devastating wildfire season since 1994.
Provincial officials voiced alarm during a briefing on Thursday, stating that a dozen fires are currently classified as out of control. The ongoing wildfire season generally peaks from March to October but is being worsened this year by higher-than-average summer temperatures. Most fires are typically triggered by lightning strikes. As of Friday morning, Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital, was under a severe thunderstorm warning, adding to the chaos.
In an urgent response, nine communities have been ordered to evacuate, affecting thousands of residents, including those in the town of Snow Lake and Garden Hill First Nation situated centrally in the province. Premier Wab Kinew explained that the state of emergency is necessary to secure access to shelters for the growing number of displaced Manitobans. “We are accommodating over 4,000 evacuees from the Garden Hill reservation,” he reported, referring to the usage of local venues like the Billy Mosienko Arena and RBC Convention Center for housing.
To further aid in firefighting efforts, Canadian officials are collaborating with American firefighters deployed to the area. Premier Kinew expressed his frustrations with some U.S. Congress members who have criticized the Canadian government's handling of wildfire smoke impacting Wisconsin and Minnesota. He denounced the politicization of the crisis, stating, “This is what turns people off from politics when you have Congressional members trivializing our wildfire season, especially after the loss of lives in our province.”
Previously, in May, a state of emergency was declared when wildfires claimed two lives and displaced about 30,000 residents, with effects felt across Manitoba and neighboring Saskatchewan. The situation continues to be dire as officials monitor the growing number of wildfires threatening communities throughout Manitoba.
