Thousands evacuated as wildfires sweep across Canadian provinces, air quality worsens

(TNND) — As dozens of wildfires rage through parts of Canada, more than 25,000 residents across three provinces have been evacuated.

Most of the residents who were evacuated are from Manitoba, which declared a state of emergency last week.

On Saturday, about 17,000 people were evacuated along with 1,300 in Alberta. Additionally, 8,000 people in Saskatchewan had been relocated as leaders warned numbers could climb.

“Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,” Saskatchewan’s Public Safety Agency said on Sunday. “As smoke levels increase, health risks increase.”

Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe said continual hot and dry weather is allowing some of the fires to grow as resources to fight the fires and hel