Manitoba Declares State of Emergency Due to Worsening Wildfires

Manitoba has declared a state of emergency for the second time in two months due to worsening wildfires. The evacuation of two more communities has been ordered, and military aid has been deployed to help contain the over 100 fires burning. This is the second state of emergency declared in the province in recent months, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Manitoba has declared a second provincewide state of emergency due to the ongoing wildfires that have spread across the province, particularly in the northern regions. This declaration comes just two months after the province's first state of emergency was lifted on June 23. The emergency order, which came into effect at 12:01 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2025, follows a series of wildfires that have forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and threatened numerous communities [3].

The wildfires have burned over one million hectares of land, more than ten times the average over the last 20 years, and have caused significant disruption to the province. As of July 11, 2025, wildfires are widespread across northern Manitoba, affecting areas such as Garden Hill First Nation, Snow Lake, Lynn Lake, and Leaf Rapids [4]. The dry and windy conditions have exacerbated the situation, leading to rapid fire spread and posing significant risks to both communities and infrastructure.

The government has issued evacuation orders for several communities, including Garden Hill First Nation, Snow Lake, Lynn Lake, and Leaf Rapids. Over 12,600 people are currently out of their homes due to the wildfires, with many being housed in temporary facilities such as Winnipeg's convention center and indoor soccer complexes [1]. The military has been deployed to assist with airlifting residents from remote areas, and the province has activated its emergency response plan to manage the situation.

The wildfires have also had an impact on the province's economy, particularly on businesses and industries in the affected areas. Hudbay Minerals Inc., a major mining company with operations in Snow Lake, has temporarily suspended its operations due to the wildfires. The company has secured its assets and maintained a limited workforce at the site to conduct monitoring and assist with emergency activities. Despite the temporary disruption, Hudbay remains confident in meeting its annual guidance metrics for Manitoba in 2025 [2].

The air quality in Winnipeg and other affected areas has been severely impacted by the wildfires, with health advisories issued due to the "very unhealthy" range of air quality. Residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves from wildfire smoke, including wearing masks and staying indoors when possible.

The situation remains severe, with over 100 fires burning across the province. The Manitoba government and emergency services are actively responding, but the fires continue to pose a significant challenge. The province has called on residents to stay informed and follow the advice of local authorities to ensure their safety and the safety of their communities.

References:
[1] https://www.rmoutlook.com/national-news/manitoba-is-under-provincewide-emergency-order-as-wildfires-continue-to-burn-10929793
[2] https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/hudbay-temporarily-suspends-snow-lake-operations-due-to-wildfires-93CH-4130984
[3] https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6827445
[4] https://www.iqair.com/us/newsroom/wildfire-map-spotlight-manitoba-canada-wildfires?srsltid=AfmBOorD3oDB3sozrfcJMEQpTgLVIRHxp2TXT410UZuBt9auCowGE2f7