Wildfire Crisis Grips Manitoba
Manitoba is facing an unprecedented wildfire crisis in 2025, prompting Premier Wab Kinew to declare a province-wide state of emergency for the second time this year. As of July 10, over 100 active wildfires are burning across the province, particularly in the northern regions, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The scale of the destruction is staggering, with approximately 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of land already consumed by flames, according to posts found on X and reports from reliable sources.
This latest declaration, announced during a press conference on July 10, comes just weeks after a similar emergency order was rescinded in June. Premier Kinew emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'The primary reason that we have called this latest state of emergency is because we need access to more facilities to be able to shelter this large number of Manitobans who are being forced to flee their homes due to wildfires.' The province is mobilizing resources to support affected communities, including calling upon military assistance for evacuations from remote fly-in areas.
Evacuations and Community Impact
The wildfires have led to significant displacement, with around 17,000 people ordered to evacuate—an evacuation described as the largest in recent memory by Premier Kinew. As of July 10, there are 12 states of local emergency declared across Manitoba, and nine communities are under mandatory evacuation orders, with two additional evacuations announced within the previous 24 hours. Assistant Deputy Minister Christine Stevens, responsible for the province’s wildfire service, highlighted the rapid spread of the fires during the same press conference, underscoring the need for immediate action.
Many of those displaced are from northern and eastern Manitoba, including First Nations communities near Flin Flon, where a massive 20,000-hectare fire threatens safety. Evacuation centers, such as the Thompson Regional Community Centre, have been set up to provide shelter. Premier Kinew has been actively involved on the ground, meeting with staff from the Manitoba Metis Federation and speaking with U.S. Forest Service teams like the Logan Hotshots, who are assisting in firefighting efforts near Flin Flon.
Ongoing Challenges and Response Efforts
The scale of the 2025 wildfire season in Manitoba is on pace to be one of the worst since 1994, with the amount of land burned already surpassing historical records for this time of year. The combination of dry conditions and high temperatures has fueled the rapid spread of fires, making containment efforts challenging. The province is working tirelessly to coordinate resources, but the sheer number of active blazes—over 100 as reported on July 11—continues to strain emergency services.
Premier Kinew has urged residents to follow local instructions and avoid backcountry travel while road access updates are available through official channels. 'To those leaving home: you're not alone. These measures protect you. We'll get through this—together,' Kinew shared in a post on X, reflecting a message of solidarity. As Manitoba continues to battle these devastating wildfires, the focus remains on protecting lives and providing shelter to those displaced by this natural disaster.