Canada battles over 90 out-of-control wildfires

Canada is facing a growing wildfire crisis, with 175 active blazes across the country—95 of them uncontained—prompting evacuations, military support, and state of emergency declarations.

The provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared emergencies as fires force more than 21,000 people from their homes. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called the evacuation of 17,000 residents the largest in the province’s recent history. In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe warned that conditions are "as severe as anything we've faced in years, if not ever."

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered the military to assist in evacuations and firefighting in Manitoba, where flames continue to spread with no rain in sight and dry summer conditions ahead.

The fires are already sending smoke across North America. In the U.S., poor air quality has been reported as far as Minnesota and Colorado. Climate expert Daniel Swain from UCLA said Canada’s early fire season could worsen the situation across the continent in the months ahead.

Swain also warned that U.S. preparedness could be strained due to cuts to emergency response and firefighting programs under the Trump administration. The White House dismissed Swain’s remarks, calling him a partisan figure and defended Trump's strategy as one that prioritizes state-led resilience and reform.

Meanwhile, Canadian fire officials say conditions are likely to deteriorate, with high temperatures and dry land fueling the spread. Smoke has already clouded skies and triggered health warnings in several areas, just two years after similar wildfires turned the skies orange over New York City.

Experts say climate change is playing a major role, drying out forests and making large-scale fires more frequent and intense. According to scientists, the type of extreme weather seen during Canada’s 2023 wildfire season is now at least seven times more likely due to global warming.

“This is a stark reminder of our changing climate,” said Justin Murgai, head of WaterAid Canada. “These fires threaten air quality, displace families, and overwhelm vital services—including access to clean water.”

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