The Royal Canadian Mounted Police report that two individuals lost their lives close to the small settlement of Lac de Bonnet in Manitoba, located centrally within Canada, on Thursday.
An adult male and female were discovered deceased as the region grapples with a large wildfire that erupted on Tuesday.
The Assistant Deputy Minister of Manitoba, Kristin Hayward, states that the fires were not contained throughout Wednesday and for much of Thursday. Authorities report that there are presently 21 fires ongoing within the province.
As reported by local media outlets, there were 80 ongoing wildfires throughout Canada as of Thursday. These blazes have escalated rapidly because of exceptionally hot, arid, and gusty weather conditions.
“The fire that began yesterday received significant attention and continues to be uncontained,” stated Hayward.
Aircraft designed for dropping water on wildfires have been spotted above Lake Winnipeg, addressing the blazes in Lac du Bonnet and Nopiming Provincial Park.
Nearly 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes.
“My neighbour who saved my life, Davey, she came and said that we are being evacuated,” said Colette Ans, an evacuee.
“I don’t know, it’s emotionally and physically just, I’m numb, I’m numb,” she added.
For some, the fires came dangerously close to their properties.
“About another 2, 300 feet north, it would have engulfed the entire area,” stated Gilles Gaithier, who owns a nearby golf club.
On Thursday, Manitoba announced a state of emergency in certain areas of its eastern regions within the fire zone to enhance its firefighting, evacuation, and relief operations.
“The Province of Manitoba plans to declare a state of emergency at Whiteshell Provincial Park. This declaration will grant essential personnel working for the Park Service and individuals in that region the necessary emergency powers to ensure your safety,” stated Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
Authorities are asking people in the impacted regions to stay cautious and adhere to official statements and directives. Additionally, they have cautioned inhabitants of parts of Manitoba that aren’t experiencing fires to abstain from using fireworks and to steer clear of building campfires.
