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Wildfire Crisis in Manitoba: State of Emergency Declared
WINNIPEG: Manitoba has officially declared a state of emergency, urging thousands of residents in the northern and eastern regions to evacuate due to escalating wildfires spreading across Central and Western Canada.
During a news conference, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that around 17,000 individuals, including those from Flin Flon, need to leave their homes immediately. Evacuees will be sheltered at local soccer fields and community centers in Winnipeg and other cities, with federal armed forces assisting in their transportation.
"This is the largest evacuation in recent memory for many Manitobans, necessitating a vast amount of resources and cooperation from all levels of government," Kinew explained.
In a related development, wildfires in Alberta have led to temporary shutdowns in some oil and gas production and the evacuation of residents from at least one small town.
Cenovus Energy has reduced its nonessential workforce at its Foster Creek facility in response to the fires in northern Alberta. This facility is one of many operating in the Bonnyville-Cold Lake region, which has been affected by wildfires consuming 2,900 hectares (11.2 square miles) near Chipewyan Lake. This small community lies approximately 130 km (81 miles) west of the major oil sands hub in Fort McMurray.
Cenovus is actively monitoring the evolving wildfire situation, stating that reducing staff is a precautionary measure. Alberta officials confirmed there’s no immediate threat to Chipewyan Lake, although residents are on a one-hour evacuation notice due to changing wind patterns.
Another fire, spanning nearly 1,600 hectares, is raging about 7 km north of Swan Hills. Earlier this week, residents—around 1,200 people—were ordered to evacuate, and local oil and gas company Aspenleaf Energy has temporarily ceased operations, halting approximately 4,000 barrels per day in oil equivalent production as a precaution.
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