In remote, rural areas from Alberta to Manitoba, wildfires forced residents from their homes Tuesday, while others remained on edge as flames inched closer to their communities.
The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Saskatchewan imposed an evacuation order for more than 1,800 residents of Pelican Narrows, 412 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
鈥淐onditions have worsened significantly, and the safety of our members is the top priority,鈥� it said.
Residents were to flee to PAGC Urban Services, also known as the Margo Fournier Centre, in Prince Albert.
Steve Roberts, vice-president of operations at the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, said hundreds more were forced to leave in other communities, including 280 crew members at Lower Fishing Lake.
He said two wildfires merged near the lake and burned down public infrastructure, including an equipment trailer, a bunking area and a kitchen.
鈥淯nfortunately for many of these folks, in this condition, we lose as often as we win on any given day,鈥� Roberts told reporters Tuesday.
Other cabins and campers also burned down at Lower Fishing Lake and other sites, he added.
In the northern community of Hall Lake, more than 380 people left Monday due to a separate wildfire. The Lac La Ronge Indian Band said there鈥檚 a contingency plan for those who stayed behind.
It said the public safety agency is conducting a controlled back burn to help contain the wildfire.
And in the resort village of Candle Lake, people were to prepare for a possible evacuation after two more nearby fires became one. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire was 21 kilometres away. Officials are seeking government approval to build a protective firebreak.
There were 21 active wildfires in Saskatchewan, with some causing highway closures.
Conditions have been tinder dry and Roberts said nearly all wildfires were caused by humans.
鈥淧eople need to be doubly diligent not to start a fire," he said.
Saskatchewan has extended its fire ban to cover all of the north. Timber operations have been shut down in the northeast, Roberts said, and the Foran mine has removed all staff.
In northern Manitoba, about 600 residents from the town of Lynn Lake, 775 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, were ordered out due to a rapidly advancing wildfire, estimated to be 7,000 hectares in size.
Those fleeing were to rendezvous at the community centre in Thompson.
It comes less than two weeks after a pair of devastating fires, including one near the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet that forced close to 1,000 people to flee, destroying 28 homes and cottages. Two people were killed.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, who was in Ottawa to greet King Charles, said he discussed the fires with him.
"Before he left, he said we need Indigenous wisdom," Kinew said on social media.
As of Tuesday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service was reporting 15 active fires.
In north-central Alberta, the 1,300 residents of Swan Hills were ordered to leave Monday night ahead of an advancing, wind-whipped fire.
People in the town 175 kilometres northwest of Edmonton were to register at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt.
Whitecourt Mayor Tom Pickard said a little more than 700 people have registered since evacuations began. Some are staying at local hotels while others are staying with family and friends.
He said many restaurants, grocery stores and hotels are doing their part to help.
"People in Whitecourt are hard-working, compassionate people," he said Tuesday, noting it's not the first time his community has hosted evacuees.
"When they can help others, they do."
Alberta Wildfire officials said Tuesday morning fire activity had been low, but was expected to increase through the day, spurred by hot, dry and windy conditions.
"Firefighters, helicopters, air tankers and heavy equipment operators continue to focus on reducing the spread of the wildfire," officials said.
The fire isn't far from some oil and gas sites operated by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. In an email, company spokeswoman Julie Woo said they are monitoring the situation to ensure staff and their families stay safe.
Also Tuesday, people living southeast of Hinton, Alta., were to prepare for a possible evacuation because of an out-of-control fire burning west of the former coal mining town of Mercoal. That fire is estimated to be 284 hectares in size.
Wildfire officials say this week's weather forecast, with higher temperatures and lower humidity, could create favourable conditions for fire activity.
Across Alberta, there were 25 active fires Tuesday afternoon, seven of which were deemed out of control.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
Aaron Sousa and Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
