Canada's Manitoba province declares state of emergency in wildfire zone
Premier Wab Kinew says deaths of 2 people 'changes what was an emergency into a tragedy'
Wildfire in British Columbia
HAMILTON, Canada
The province of Manitoba declared a state of emergency early Thursday in the eastern region's wildfire zone, where fast-moving blazes have forced evacuations and claimed two lives in Canada.
"In order to back up these measures, later this morning, the Province of Manitoba will be declaring a state of emergency in the Whiteshell Provincial Park. That will allow those who work in the Park Service and others in that area to have the emergency powers that they need to keep you safe," Premier Wab Kinew announced during a news conference.
"It will help also help to ensure that the evacuation, which will be taking place today, will be able to proceed in a way that keeps Manitobans safe, keeps first responders safe, and allows us to fight the wildfire situation with a lot of the efficiency that's required," he added.
Kinew confirmed that two people had died as a result of the wildfires, and offered condolences to "the family, friends and community members who lost two of our own."
"The news of this loss of life changes what was an emergency into a tragedy," he noted.
He stated that flags were flying at half-mast at the Manitoba legislature "as a small gesture towards the sympathies that we feel and how this latest turn in this year's wildfire situation hits on a different emotional level."
Calling on residents to comply with evacuation orders, he also urged them to avoid open fires.
"Any fire that goes out of control, even in an area that's not dealing with wildfire, could potentially pull resources away from the front lines where we urgently need help," Kinew said.
