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CBS News
5 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Canadian wildfires force tens of thousands evacuate, threaten U.S. air quality
More than 25,000 residents in three provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active Sunday and diminished air quality in parts of Canada and the U.S., according to officials. Roughly 17,000 residents in the Canadian province of Manitoba have been evacuated because of nearly two dozen active wildfires, officials said. More than 5,000 of those are from Flin Flon, where there is no rain in the immediate forecast. There have been no structure fires in the city located nearly 400 miles northwest of the provincial capital of Winnipeg as of Sunday, but officials worry that a change in wind direction could bring the fire into town. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities, and resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said. Smoke was also worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some U.S. states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Smoke rises from wildfire in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada May 27, 2025. A wildfire emergency in western Canada has spread to another province as thousands of people flee their homes. Government of Manitoba / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Manitoba declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as the fires burning from the northwest to the southeast forced evacuations in several communities in the province directly north of the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota. Thousands have also been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with 1,300 people in the community of Swan Hills northwest of Edmonton forced from their homes. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe told a news conference Saturday that ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities, and that the current figure of 8,000 fire evacuees could climb to 10,000. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 170 active fires were burning across Canada, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Of those, 89 were considering to be burning "out of control." Smoke from the wildfires was expected to drift down into the U.S., with air quality alerts issued for portions of the Upper Midwest. "Smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to spread across the skies across much of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes," the National Weather Service wrote. "…The smoke will also create air quality issues at times, mainly for sensitive groups." Wildfire smoke above Highway 97, north of the Buckinghorse River near Trutch, British Columbia, Canada, on May 30, 2025. Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/Bloomberg via Getty Images Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023. It choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service said Saturday it has deployed an air tanker to Alberta, and the U.S. is sending 150 firefighters and equipment like sprinkler kits, pumps and hoses to Canada. "We are here to help our neighbors during their time of need, and our Forest Service Wildland Firefighters are the best in the business. I am thankful for the men and women who are bravely stepping up to serve," U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a statement. In northern Manitoba, fire knocked out power to the community of Cranberry Portage, forcing a mandatory evacuation order Saturday for about 600 residents. People living in smaller nearby communities were told to prepare to evacuate after a fire jumped a highway. "Please start getting ready and making plans to stay with family and friends as accommodations are extremely limited," Lori Forbes, the emergency coordinator for the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, posted on social media. Evacuation centers have opened across the province for those fleeing the fires, including one as far south as Winkler, Manitoba, 12 miles from the U.S. border. Evacuations that started earlier in the week for Pimicikamak Cree Nation ramped up Saturday, when five flights were expected to take residents to Winnipeg. "The wildfire has crossed the main road, and the area remains filled with smoke and ash," Chief David Monias wrote on social media. Winnipeg has opened up public buildings for evacuees as it deals with hotels already crammed with other fire refugees, vacationers, business people and convention-goers. Manitoba's Indigenous leaders, including Monias, told a news conference on Saturday that hotel rooms in the cities where evacuees are arriving are full, and they called on the government to direct hotel owners to give evacuees priority. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said it was one of the largest evacuations in the province since the 1990s. "It's really sad to see our children having to sleep on floors. People are sitting, waiting in hallways, waiting outside, and right now we just need people to come together. People are tired," Wilson said at the news conference. "We need to make sure that we have space for our people." The fire menacing Flin Flon began Monday near Creighton, Saskatchewan, and quickly jumped the boundary into Manitoba. Crews have struggled to contain it. Water bombers have been intermittently grounded due to heavy smoke and a drone incursion. The 1,200 or so residents of Creighton have also been ordered out, many of whom have gone to nearby Nipawin, Saskatchewan. In total, more than 8,000 people have fled wildfires in Saskatchewan.
Korea Herald
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Korea Herald
Thousands evacuated from Canada wildfires
More than 25,000 residents in three provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active Sunday and diminished air quality in parts of Canada and the US, according to officials. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1,300 in Alberta. About 8,000 people in Saskatchewan had been relocated as leaders there warned the number could climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. 'Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,' Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned Sunday. 'As smoke levels increase, health risks increase.' Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. 'We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you,' Moe said in a post on social media. He said ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities, and resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. 'The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north,' Moe said at a Saturday news conference. In Manitoba, more than 5,000 of those evacuated are from Flin Flon, located nearly 645 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital of Winnipeg. In northern Manitoba, fire knocked out power to the community of Cranberry Portage, forcing a mandatory evacuation order Saturday for about 600 residents. The fire menacing Flin Flon began a week ago near Creighton, Saskatchewan, and quickly jumped the boundary into Manitoba. Crews have struggled to contain it. Water bombers have been intermittently grounded due to heavy smoke and a drone incursion. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached 'unhealthy' levels Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. 'We should expect at least a couple more rounds of Canadian smoke to come through the US over the next week,' said Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in the US. Separately, a fire in the US border state of Idaho burned at least 40 hectares as of Sunday, prompting road closures and some evacuations, according to the Idaho Department of Lands. The agency said in a news release that at least one structure was burned, but did not provide additional details about the damage. Strong gusty winds of 24 to 32 kilometers per hour and steep terrain were making it difficult for firefighters battling the fire, which ignited Saturday. Evacuation centers have opened across Manitoba for those fleeing the fires, one as far south as Winkler, 20 km from the US border. Winnipeg opened up public buildings for evacuees as it deals with hotels already crammed with other fire refugees, vacationers, business people and conventiongoers. Manitoba's Indigenous leaders said Saturday at a news conference that hotel rooms in the cities where evacuees are arriving are full, and they called on the government to direct hotel owners to give evacuees priority. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said it was one of the largest evacuations in the province since the 1990s. 'It's really sad to see our children having to sleep on floors. People are sitting, waiting in hallways, waiting outside, and right now we just need people to come together. People are tired,' Wilson said at a news conference. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023. It choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. (AP)
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario signs deals with Saskatchewan, P.E.I. and Alberta to reduce trade barriers
Amid economic uncertainty in Canada due in part to U.S. tariffs, the Ontario government has reached agreements with Saskatchewan, Alberta and Prince Edward Island, with the aim of taking steps to reduce trade barriers among the provinces. Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed separate memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz in Saskatoon on Sunday ahead of a first ministers' meeting there. Ontario signed an MOU with Manitoba in May and with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in April. Ford, who held a news conference only with Moe about the MOU, said the province is "standing up for free trade" within Canada by signing such agreements, adding that they're an attempt to offset the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy. "Our government is on a mission to protect Ontario and to protect Canada," he told reporters in Saskatoon. "At a time when President [Donald] Trump is taking direct aim at our economy — and make no mistake about it, he wants to annihilate our economy, no matter if it's manufacturing in Ontario or any other jurisdiction that he can get his hands on, bring it down to the U.S. — and we're going to fight like we've never fought before, not just to protect Ontario but to protect the rest of our our country." Ford said the agreement aims to not only increase the standard of living in Ontario and Saskatchewan but to improve investor confidence and allow for the free movement of their "best and most in-demand" workers. "We're doing this by reducing barriers to internal trade.... We need to build a more competitive, more resilient, more self-reliant Canadian economy." Saskatchewan's Moe said the MOU is "yet one more way that we are able to stand strong for our provinces, and collectively as provinces, stand strong for our country and all the people who call Canada home." He said both he and Ford have long been advocates of streamlining trade across the country. "It shouldn't be easier to trade with other countries than it is to trade between the Canadian provinces of our nation," Moe told reporters. "It's more important now, I would say, than ever for us to prioritize removing any and all barriers that we have that limit flow of trade and limit flow of professionals from moving across Canada," he said. "It's very greatly appreciated to have another like-minded province join us on that front and to continue to put words into action." Memo to strengthen respective economies, Moe says Moe said the MOU contains mutual recognition and reciprocity — in particular, mutual recognition of goods, workers and investment. The agreement will only strengthen their respective economies, benefit workers and businesses and enhance the Canadian economy, he said. According to the MOU, Ontario and Saskatchewan pledge to build on "enabling legislation" to remove internal trade barriers to boost the flow of goods, services, investment and workers, while maintaining and strengthening the levels of public safety. WATCH | Ontario and Manitoba sign deal to break down trade barriers: Ontario and Saskatchewan agreed that while working to remove trade barriers, they will respect the role of Crown corporations within some provincial industries, while Ontario and Alberta will respect the integrity and role of regulators. Ontario and the other three provinces also agreed to work on improving interprovincial labour mobility, saying they will aim to ensure any good, service or worker deemed acceptable in one province is also deemed acceptable in the other. As well, all agreed to work on a framework to implement a direct-to-consumer sales system of alcohol, "so that producers have easier access to market opportunities across the country, and so that consumers across Canada have greater choice and access to a broader selection of alcoholic beverages." 35% of trade occurs within Canada's borders, Ontario says In a news release on Sunday, Alberta's Smith said: "Together, Alberta and Ontario are taking a big step toward a more open, competitive and united economy." She added: "This agreement is about getting results, making it easier for people to work, do business and grow across provincial lines. It's time to stop letting outdated rules hold us back and show Canadians what real economic leadership looks like." Lantz said in the release: "By eliminating unnecessary trade barriers and streamlining labour mobility, we're fostering a more unified and competitive national economy. Our collaboration with Ontario underscores our commitment to one Canadian economy." According to the Ontario government, 35 per cent of Canada's trade takes place within its borders. In early March, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian exports and 10 per cent on energy product exports from Canada. Later in March, the Trump administration introduced tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum products, and in early April, it imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian automobiles. Trump has threatened to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent on Wednesday.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Over 25,000 residents evacuated from 3 provinces over wildfire in Canada
Active wildfires remained active in parts of Canada and the US on Sunday, and affected air quality, prompting the evacuation of over 25,000 residents in three provinces, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. About 8,000 residents in Saskatchewan were shifted to safer locations, and leaders said more people could be relocated amid the growing wildfire situation. Air quality also worsened in Canada and some US states along the border, and the wildfire smoke also affected visibility. Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency on Sunday issued a warning and said, "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. As smoke level increases, health risks increase." Firefighters, emergency crews and air support from other provinces and US states, including Oregon, Alaska, and Arizona, were being sent to fight the blaze, said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. In a social media post, Moe said, "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," he added. Moe attributed the growing fires to the current hot and dry weather in the region, saying it also increases the threat to communities living there. 'The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north,' he said during a press conference. Over 5,000 people were evacuated from Manitoba's Flin Flon, situated nearly 645 kilometers (400 miles) northwest of the capital of Winnipeg. The blaze also knocked out the power supply to the community of Cranberry Portage in northern Manitoba, forcing a mandatory evacuation order on Saturday. The blaze chaos in Flin Flon started a week ago near Saskatchewan's Creighton region, and quickly crossed the boundary into Manitoba. Firefighting crews have been struggling to contain the fire. Meanwhile, the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. Evacuation centres have also been opened in Manitoba for those seeking shelter and fleeing the fire. Additionally, Winnipeg opened public buildings for evacuees as hotels were already filled with fire refugees, vacationers, business people and convention attendees. Manitoba's Indigenous leaders on Saturday said that hotel rooms in the cities were full, calling on the government to direct hotel owners to prioritise evacuees. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson termed it to be one of the largest evacuations in the province since the 1990s. 'It's really sad to see our children having to sleep on the floor. People are sitting, waiting in hallways, waiting outside, and right now, we just need people to come together. People are tired,' Wilson. The US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page showed that air quality levels reached the "unhealthy" category on Sunday in some parts of the US, North Dakota, and small swaths in Montana, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said, "We should expect at least a couple more rounds of Canadian smoke to come through the U.S. over the next week." A fire in the US border state of Idaho also burned at least 100 acres of land, prompting the closure of roads and evacuations. The Idaho Department of Lands said that at least one structure was burned in the incident, but did not provide any further details. May to September is wildfire season in Canada, and the worst of it ever was seen in 2023. Much of North America choked on the smoke-infused air.
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Thousands evacuated as Canadian wildfires rage
More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. More than 25,000 people in three Canadian provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active, affecting air quality as far as the US. Most of the evacuated residents were from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week. About 17,000 people there were evacuated by Saturday along with 1300 in Alberta. About 8000 people in Saskatchewan have been relocated as leaders there warn the number might climb. Smoke was worsening air quality and reducing visibility in Canada and into some US states along the border. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency warned on Sunday. "As smoke levels increase, health risks increase." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said firefighters, emergency crews and aircraft from other provinces and US states, including Alaska, Oregon and Arizona, were being sent to help fight the blazes. "We are truly grateful, and we stand stronger because of you," Moe said in a post on social media. Ongoing hot, dry weather is allowing some fires to grow and threaten communities while resources to fight the fires and support the evacuees are stretched thin. "The next four to seven days are absolutely critical until we can find our way to changing weather patterns, and ultimately a soaking rain throughout the north," Moe said at a news conference. The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service deployed an air tanker to Alberta and said it would send 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada. In some parts of the US, air quality reached "unhealthy" levels on Sunday in North Dakota and small swaths of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. Canada's wildfire season runs from May through September. Its worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023 when it choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months.
