Wildfire Map Spotlight: Central Canada Wildfires

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of May 29, 2025, multiple active wildfire complexes are burning across northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Evacuations have been ordered for thousands of people in northern and eastern Manitoba as the province has declared a state of emergency (1).

17,000 people were instructed to evacuate communities spanning Manitoba, including the city of Flin Flon near the Saskatchewan border. Another 12,000 were ordered to evacuate Swan Hills, Alberta on Monday, May 26 (2).

In Alberta, a large wildfire complex is burning near Chipewyan Lake, roughly 130 kilometers west of Fort McMurray. Fires are also impacting Red Earth Creek and several First Nations communities in the northern part of the province. These regions are experiencing some of the most intense early-season fire activity in recent memory (3).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

Fires have spread rapidly across Canada’s central provinces. Towns and villages most impacted include:

• Candle Lake, Saskatchewan
• Canoe Lake, Saskatchewan
• Chipewyan Lake, Alberta
• Creighton, Saskatchewan
• Flin Flon, Manitoba
• Loon River First Nation, Alberta
• Peerless Lake, Alberta
• Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan
• Red Earth Creek, Alberta
• Sherridon, Saskatchewan
• Swan Hills, Alberta
• Trout Lake, Alberta
• Weyakwin, Saskatchewan

Air quality in many Canadian communities near these fires ranges from “Very Unhealthy” to “Hazardous.”

These fires also threaten oil and gas production areas such as Foster Creek (Cenovus Energy) and communities near Bonnyville-Cold Lake, Alberta.

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

Containment is a major challenge for firefighters in central Canada due to dry conditions, high winds, red flag warnings, and extreme heat.

As of May 29, 2025, officials in Manitoba report 22 active wildfires with nearly 200,000 hectares of forest land already burned—three times the five-year average—though specific containment figures have not been provided. There are close to 50 active fires in Alberta, 16 of which are classified as out of control.

Nationally, Canada is battling 134 active wildfires, and about half are considered out of control, signaling a particularly severe and early wildfire season.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

There are extensive evacuation orders in effect in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Over 17,000 people are under evacuation orders in Manitoba. Major evacuations include Flin Flon, Sherridon, and Lynn Lake. Evacuees are being relocated to Winnipeg and other urban centers. Emergency shelters are being established across the province.

Evacuations are also taking place in Candle Lake, Canoe Lake, Creighton, Pelican Narrows, and Weyakwin, Saskatchewan (4).

In Alberta, Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Chipewyan Lake, Red Earth Creek, Loon River First Nation, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake (Peerless Trout First Nation), and Swan Hills.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.