Manitoba welcomes evacuees from Northwest Territories wildfires

Manitoba welcomes evacuees from Northwest Territories wildfires

Evacuees Arriving in Manitoba from Wildfire-Affected Areas

Evacuees from the Northwest Territories have started arriving in Manitoba, as wildfires continue to rage across the area. The first flight, which brought in 15 people, arrived early Saturday morning at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, a provincial spokesperson said in an email.

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The spokesperson said that more flights are expected to arrive in the coming days, as the situation in the Northwest Territories remains critical. The spokesperson said that Manitoba is ready to receive up to 2,000 evacuees from the northern territory.

The evacuees are being transported by the Canadian Armed Forces, which has deployed several aircraft to assist with the evacuation efforts. The military is working in coordination with the federal and territorial governments, as well as the Canadian Red Cross and other agencies.

The Wildfire Situation

The Northwest Territories is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, with more than 230 active fires burning across the territory. The fires have scorched more than 1.2 million hectares of land and have forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

The fires have also threatened the capital city of Yellowknife, which was placed under a state of emergency and an evacuation order on Wednesday. The city’s population of about 20,000 people has been reduced to a ghost town, as most residents have left for safer locations.

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The fires have been fueled by hot, dry and windy weather conditions, as well as by climate change and human activities. The territory has experienced a heat wave in August, with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. The heat wave has also affected other parts of Canada and Europe, increasing the risk of fires and droughts.

The Manitoba Response

Manitoba has offered to host evacuees from the Northwest Territories as part of its humanitarian and interprovincial obligations. The province has set up reception centres and shelters in various locations, including Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson.

The province is also providing food, clothing, health care and other services to the evacuees. The province is working with the Canadian Red Cross and other organizations to ensure that the evacuees are comfortable and safe.

The province has also expressed its solidarity and support for the people of the Northwest Territories who are facing this crisis. The provincial government has said that it will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance as needed.