• More than 17,000 people are evacuated in Manitoba due to raging wildfires.
• The provincial government has declared a state of emergency amid widespread fire activity.
• Military support is being deployed to assist with evacuations and firefighting efforts.
• Residents are being provided temporary housing in urban areas like Winnipeg.
• The fire season has already proven deadly, with fatalities reported earlier this month.

In Manitoba, Canada, dangerous wildfires have led to the evacuation of over 17,000 residents as the provincial government has declared a state of emergency. Premier Wab Kinew remarked, "This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory," highlighting the severity of the situation that is prompting residents to flee to urban centers like Winnipeg, where temporary housing is being arranged for evacuees, according to Le Monde.

The fires, which are currently burning in multiple regions of the province, are described as "out of control." The Canadian Armed Forces are being called in to assist with evacuations, offering aerial support to evacuate residents swiftly within hours rather than days. Kinew emphasized the scale of the disaster, stating, "The military is being called for help here because of the sheer scale," according to BBC and The New York Times.

Local officials have ordered mandatory evacuations in towns such as Flin Flon, as well as in Indigenous communities like Pimicikamak and Mathias Colomb. Many of those displaced will find temporary shelter in community centers and sports venues across Winnipeg. The province has recorded a total of 22 active wildfires, with 11 considered out of control. Earlier in the month, two individuals tragically lost their lives as a result of the fires, according to Le Monde and BBC.

An unsettling atmosphere prevails among residents forced to evacuate. One resident of Flin Flon described the scene as "surreal" as almost everyone hurriedly packed up their belongings. As conditions worsen, officials are ensuring that those who are not under immediate threat remain prepared for potential evacuations, according to The New York Times.