Thousands Evacuate in Canada as Wildfires Rage

Canada's state of Manitoba is facing severe wildfires, prompting the declaration of a province-wide state of emergency.

Over 17,000 residents have been evacuated.

On Thursday, local time, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a state of emergency due to wildfires that have already burned approximately 491,000 acres.

The city of Flin Flon, home to 5,000 people, was under a mandatory evacuation order.

The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to assist in the evacuation, airlifting residents from remote communities.

There are concerns about whether the fires can be contained, with the situation made worse by abnormally dry conditions and a lack of significant rainfall in the forecast.

Premier Kinew said, "This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory."

Meanwhile, smoke from the blazes is affecting air quality in some U.S. cities such as Chicago and Detroit.