A rapidly spreading wildfire in Manitoba has claimed the lives of two people and forced the evacuation of the entire town of Lac du Bonnet, northeast of Winnipeg.
The victims, identified as Richard and Sue Nowell, were trapped by the blaze near their home in the Wendigo area and could not be reached by rescue teams due to extreme fire conditions.
The wildfire, which ignited on Monday and expanded to approximately 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares), prompted a mandatory evacuation of about 1,000 residents from Lac du Bonnet and surrounding areas.
The fire has destroyed around 28 homes and cottages, with thick smoke and hot, gusty winds driving the flames northward at an alarming rate.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, stating that the loss transformed “what was an emergency into a tragedy.”
Flags at the Manitoba Legislative Building have been lowered to half-mast in honour of the victims.
Kinew urged residents to comply with evacuation orders and avoid affected areas as firefighting efforts continue.
The province has declared a state of emergency in eastern regions, including Whiteshell Provincial Park, to intensify firefighting and relief operations.
Despite efforts including water bombers over Lake Winnipeg, the fire remained out of control as of Thursday, fueled by a severe heat wave with temperatures reaching record highs of 37°C (99°F) in Winnipeg.
Officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire and warn the public to exercise caution, especially avoiding fireworks and open flames in unaffected areas.
The wildfire season in Canada has started with multiple active fires nationwide, though most others remain under control.
