The Province of Manitoba in Canada declared a state of emergency in Whiteshell Provincial Park on Thursday as fast-moving wildfires in the eastern region claimed two lives and prompted widespread evacuations.

Premier Wab Kinew announced the measure during a news conference, emphasizing the need for enhanced emergency powers to ensure public safety and support firefighting efforts.

“This state of emergency will equip our Park Service and other personnel with the authority to keep Manitobans and first responders safe while enabling an efficient response to the wildfire crisis,” Kinew said. The declaration facilitates a mandatory evacuation of Whiteshell Provincial Park, which began Thursday morning and required all residents, cottagers, and campers to leave by 1 p.m. The park, covering 2,700 square kilometers, is home to 239 permanent residences and is a popular destination for cottages and camping.

The wildfires, fueled by hot, dry, and windy conditions, have escalated across Manitoba, with 21 active blazes reported as of Thursday, compared to a 20-year average of 48 fires by this time of year. The largest fire, near Nopiming Provincial Park, spans nearly 100,000 hectares, while another out-of-control blaze near Ingolf, Ontario, has grown to over 27,000 hectares, encroaching on Whiteshell from across the border. A 4,000-hectare fire in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet remains uncontained, contributing to the tragic loss of life.

Kinew confirmed the deaths of two individuals in the Lac du Bonnet fire, describing the loss as a tragedy that “changes the emotional weight of this emergency.” Flags at the Manitoba Legislative Building have been lowered to half-mast in honor of the victims, identified by community sources as a married couple trapped by the rapidly spreading blaze. “Our hearts go out to their family, friends, and community,” Kinew said, urging residents to comply with evacuation orders to prevent further loss.

The province has closed Whiteshell Provincial Park until at least May 21, with all campgrounds, trails, and backcountry areas off-limits. Similar closures are in effect for Nopiming, Pinawa Dam, Poplar Bay, Wallace Lake, South Atikaki, and Manigotagan River provincial parks due to local states of emergency. Full campfire bans have been implemented across eastern and central Manitoba’s provincial parks, and backcountry travel is restricted to curb fire risks.

Evacuation efforts have displaced over 1,000 people, with reception centers set up at the Whiteshell Community Club, Rennie Community Centre, and other locations to assist evacuees. Manitoba Hydro reported restoring power to 900 customers along the Lee River but noted that 400 others remain without electricity due to fire-related damage. The utility evacuated its generating stations at Pointe du Bois and Slave Falls on Wednesday.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service, supported by 40 firefighters from British Columbia and a request for 80 more through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, is battling the blazes under challenging conditions. Thick smoke has limited water bomber operations, particularly near Nopiming, where crews are focusing on protecting properties. An air quality warning is in effect for communities near the Ontario border, with smoke reducing visibility and posing health risks.

Nationally, Canada is grappling with 98 active wildfires as of Thursday, including 28 in British Columbia and 18 in Ontario. A fire ban on open-air burning, including campfires, begins Friday in northwestern Ontario, while restrictions are already in place in British Columbia’s Cariboo and Northwest fire centres. The Manitoba government has urged residents to avoid campfires and fireworks over the Victoria Day long weekend, warning that any uncontrolled fire could divert critical resources.

“This is a serious situation,” Kinew said, noting concurrent flood warnings in western Manitoba. “We need everyone to stay out of affected areas and follow safety measures to support our firefighters and protect our communities.”

Residents are advised to check www.manitobaparks.com for updates on closures and restrictions and to report wildfires by calling 911 or the toll-free TIP line at 1-800-782-0076. (ILKHA)