Wildfires have forced thousands to flee communities across parts of Canada — see photos of the 'challenging' emergency

Wildfires have been burning out of control in parts of Canada, threatening several communities and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The conditions are so severe that Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency.
According to Environment Canada's data on May 30, "extreme" conditions — the highest level — are also being seen in parts of Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, the southern parts of the territories and western Ontario. The poor conditions are also posing a threat to northern states in the U.S.; North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and states around the Great Lakes are expected to get the highest smoke concentrations over the next few days.
"As we head into the weekend, pray for rain," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said at a Friday press conference. "We haven't seen rain in the forecast yet. That could really help — sustained rainfall, in particular. But in the absence of that, the past few days have been very challenging, and that may continue."
When Kinew ordered a provincewide state of emergency on Wednesday, telling reporters this is "the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory." The press conference came after roughly 17,000 residents were evacuated from the affected areas.
That includes the entire town of Flin Flon, an area of around 5,000 residents. "The only folks remaining on the ground are firefighters and folks in the office of the fire commissioner and RCMP, who are there to battle the blaze," Kinew said Friday. "We do expect some very, very challenging conditions in Flin Flon and in the surrounding community."
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe declared a state of emergency Thursday: "It's a very serious situation that we're faced with," he said at a Prince Albert press conference, adding the province also needs to see some rain. Thousands have already evacuated their homes in the province.
Below, see some of the most eye-widening photos from the incident that's ravaging parts of Western and Central Canada.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets much of central North America. pic.twitter.com/bybI8lmYvH
— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) May 30, 2025
Wildfires in Manitoba, Canada have triggered the evacuation of over 17,000 people. These aerial shots are unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/6H3Y5TBSxj
— Met4Cast. (@Met4CastUK) May 29, 2025
smoke from Canadian wildfires pic.twitter.com/XOsuUM8swL
— ian (@bigseawaterite) May 30, 2025
The Canada wildfire smoke has arrived. Grass got tough fast. pic.twitter.com/SurgQ9hikP
— Maria Cox (@MariaCoxFarm) May 31, 2025

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