A rapidly spreading wildfire in central Canada has claimed the lives of two people and forced the evacuation of over 1,000 residents in the small community of Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, as the country braces for what experts warn could be another brutal fire season.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the fatalities on Wednesday, reporting that emergency responders were unable to reach the victims until the following morning due to severe fire conditions.
“We were aware that these individuals had been trapped in the fire,” said Chris Hastie of the RCMP. “Due to extreme conditions yesterday afternoon, emergency personnel were not able to reach the location until this morning.”
Manitoba’s Premier, Wab Kinew, expressed his sorrow in a statement: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of two Manitobans due to the wildfires. My heart goes out to their loved ones.”
The town of Lac du Bonnet, located approximately 100 kilometres north of Winnipeg, has been severely affected. Local officials report a mass evacuation of around 1,000 residents, and multiple fire alerts remain in place.
“This is a truly tragic event. We are a very close-knit community here,” said Loren Schinkel, the town’s leader.
Across Canada, 92 active wildfires are currently burning in provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. In Manitoba alone, authorities are battling 24 active blazes, five of which are considered out of control.
Kristin Hayward of the Manitoba Wildfire Service described the current weather as “very challenging,” noting that hot, dry, and windy conditions have worsened the situation. “We have had some very windy days, and we expect that to continue,” she said.
Officials have warned that 2025’s fire season may surpass the devastation of last year, when Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record. Despite the widespread destruction in 2023, there were no recorded civilian deaths, making this week’s tragedy a sobering start to the new season.
Climate scientists continue to link these increasingly intense wildfires to the global climate crisis, with rising temperatures and prolonged droughts creating the perfect conditions for more frequent and more destructive fires.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents in at-risk areas to follow evacuation orders and stay informed through official channels.
