The provincewide state of emergency declared last month in Manitoba will be extended until Aug. 22, as wildfires continue to rage across the province, displacing thousands and stretching emergency resources.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Emergency Management Organization made the announcement on Thursday, noting the original order, put in place on July 10, was set to expire after 30 days.
In total, more than 12,600 people across Manitoba have been displaced, with some evacuees still recovering from earlier displacements in May and June, when wildfires first flared and forced tens of thousands from their homes.
As of August 5, 165 active wildfires were burning across the province, bringing the yearly total to 401. This is well above the 299 wildfires that are typically seen at this time of year.
As Manitoba continues to respond to the wildfire emergency, the City of Portage la Prairie is once again stepping up to support displaced residents. The former Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC) will temporarily reopen to accommodate evacuees, with the first arrivals at the site expected as early as the end of this week.
Manitobans are encouraged to stay informed through the province’s MB Ready website, which offers up-to-date information on fire locations, evacuation orders, fire bans, and tips on preventing wildfires.
The province is also asking travellers to avoid visiting affected areas and urges all residents to remain alert, cautious, and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
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