Thousands in Canada’s Manitoba ordered to evacuate in wildfire emergency
GuardianMAY 29
The Manitoba government swiftly declared a state of emergency, mobilizing resources to protect thousands fleeing unprecedented wildfires. Winnipeg has opened multiple reception centers, staffed by Emergency Social Services and the Red Cross, providing safe shelter and vital support. Together, government and community stand united — acting decisively to keep families safe and resilient in this crisis.
Remote communities are being left vulnerable due to insufficient provincial resources and support. Critical firefighting equipment and personnel are stretched thin, with some areas like Sherridon having only local firefighters and sprinkler systems as their sole defense against massive fires. The lack of water bombers and proper equipment has left many communities exposed to potentially catastrophic damage.
There is a 50% chance that wildfires destroy a total exceeding 10M hectares of global tree cover in any year before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.