Wildfires in Canada force over 25 000 to evacuate as smoke spreads over much of the United States

As of June 1, 17 000 residents of Manitoba have been evacuated due to 22 active wildfires burning across the province. The city of Flin Flon, located 644 km (400 miles) northwest of Winnipeg, accounts for over 5 000 evacuees, with officials concerned about potential wind shifts pushing fires toward the town.

Manitoba declared a state of emergency on May 29, marking the largest evacuation in recent history. Two fatalities were reported in a small community affected by the fires.

In Saskatchewan, around 8 000 people have been displaced, with Premier Scott Moe warning that this number could rise to 10 000. The community of Pelican Narrows saw 4 000 residents evacuated, while Sturgeon Landing and other northern First Nations communities also faced mandatory evacuation orders. Hot, dry weather continues to fuel fire growth, straining firefighting resources. The province declared a state of emergency to mobilize support for affected areas.

Alberta reports 1 300 evacuees from Swan Hills, northwest of Edmonton.

In Manitoba, the Pimicikamak Cree Nation saw intensified evacuations on May 31, with five flights transporting residents to Winnipeg. Chief David Monias reported that the wildfire crossed a main road, leaving the area filled with smoke and ash. Evacuation centers have been opened across the province, including in Winkler, 19 km (12 miles) from the United States border. Winnipeg’s public buildings are accommodating evacuees due to full hotels.

Saskatchewan’s firefighting efforts include 220 level-three firefighters and 410 Indigenous firefighters from northern First Nations. Water bombers from Yukon, Quebec, Alaska, and Oregon are supporting aerial suppression operations. The fire near Flin Flon, which began in Creighton, Saskatchewan, on May 27, has crossed into Manitoba, complicating containment efforts. Heavy smoke and a drone incursion have intermittently grounded water bombers.

Indigenous communities, particularly in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, face significant challenges due to limited transportation infrastructure. The Canadian Armed Forces are assisting with evacuations in remote areas, with federal support approved on May 29, for Manitoba’s Pimicikamak and Mathias Colomb Cree Nations.

Manitoba’s Indigenous leaders report that hotel rooms in receiving cities are full, with evacuees sleeping in hallways or on floors. Grand Chief Kyra Wilson called for prioritizing evacuee accommodations.

The total area burned in Manitoba and Saskatchewan exceeds 688 000 ha (1.7 million acres), with Manitoba reporting 171 718 ha burned against a ten-year average of 51 763 ha (127 909 acres). Saskatchewan has seen 206 wildfires in 2025, compared to a five-year average of 125.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre raised the national preparedness level to 5 on May 29, indicating extreme wildfire activity. A total of 1 267 active fires are burning across Canada, with 96 classified as out of control. The United States has deployed an air tanker and 150 firefighters to Alberta to assist.

Satellite data and air quality monitoring show that smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting much of the central and eastern United States, as well as parts of eastern Canada.

Air quality alerts have been issued in at least 15 U.S. states and large areas of Ontario and Quebec, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching unhealthy levels in major cities including New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Boston.

Public health officials advise residents to limit outdoor activities and take precautions as the smoke persists into early June.