We Had to Leave Everything’: Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate Across the Canadian Prairies
The skies are hazy and red. Families are fleeing. And across parts of Canada, the ground is burning.
This week, thousands of people across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have been told to leave their homes as wildfires continue to tear through forests and communities. The images are heartbreaking — people loading up bags, helping elderly relatives into planes, and watching the horizon glow with smoke.
On Tuesday, members of the Royal Canadian Air Force helped Abbie Duskun and her daughter Veronica Clarke board a Hercules aircraft in Norway House, Manitoba. Like thousands of others, they left behind everything familiar — with no idea when they’ll return.
“It’s just overwhelming,” one evacuee said. “We’re trying to stay hopeful.”
As of Friday, 209 wildfires were burning across Canada — nearly half of them out of control — with Central and Western Canada hit especially hard. British Columbia is battling 68 active fires, Alberta 55, Saskatchewan 18, and Manitoba 27, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
In total, more than 35,000 people have already been forced out of their homes in the Prairie provinces. Manitoba alone has evacuated more than 17,000 residents, with 10,000 to 15,000 displaced in Saskatchewan, and another 4,000 in Alberta.
And many Canadians watching from afar are asking: How can I help?
Where to Donate
The Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations through its Manitoba and Saskatchewan Wildfire Appeals. The funds go directly to emergency relief — including shelter, food, and financial support — for evacuees and the communities hosting them.
Even better, donations made between May 28 and June 27 will be matched by the federal government, as well as by the governments of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
There’s also a general Canadian Wildfire Fund through the Red Cross, helping where the need is greatest.
For more localized giving:
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United Way BC has a Wildfire Recovery Fund.
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United Way Alberta Capital Region launched a Wildfire Response and Recovery Fund.
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In Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Wildfire Evacuee Fund is raising money for evacuees to enjoy small joys — movies, games, even bouncy castles — while away from home.
What Else Is Needed Right Now
Beyond money, many evacuees are asking for basics: gas money, food vouchers, transportation, and items for babies and children. In cities like Saskatoon, volunteers are organizing trips from evacuation shelters to activities like laser tag and football games — anything to keep kids calm and occupied.
The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan has opened up the Batoche Festival Grounds as a temporary shelter and is running an emergency donation center in Saskatoon. They’re asking for:
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Toiletries (toothpaste, hygiene products)
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Diapers and formula
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Baby wipes and clean bedding
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Air purifiers and masks
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Work gloves
In Winnipeg, local mom Catie St. Germain raised $3,000 to buy diapers, wipes, and other essentials. “As a mom of three, I know how hard it is to leave in a hurry without everything you need,” she said.
Evacuation times are uncertain. Many families don’t know if they’ll be away for days or weeks. Donations for kids are especially in demand, says Mary Sylvia Caribou, a coordinator helping evacuees from Pukatawagan.
“Baby stuff, like socks, Pampers, milk… we don’t have much here,” she said.
How to Help Indigenous Communities
Indigenous communities are among the hardest hit — especially in northern and rural regions prone to wildfires and often far from resources.
In Manitoba:
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The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) are collecting supplies like strollers, diapers, sandals, and summer clothes.
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MMF is also accepting donations and volunteer help — from driving people and supplies to cooking and billeting evacuees. Email: [email protected] or call 1-888-362-2012.
In Saskatchewan:
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The Central Urban Métis Federation is supporting northern evacuees now in Saskatoon.
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There’s a separate fundraiser for Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, helping people from Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay, and other communities.
In Alberta:
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The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council is supporting more than 1,400 evacuees from Peerless Trout and Loon River First Nations.
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They’re asking for: hygiene kits, comfort items, books and games for kids, and support for cultural activities.
Contact:
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Trevor Thera ([email protected] / 780-264-6709)
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Sheena Phillips ([email protected] / 780-625-5222)
Don’t Forget the Animals
In every evacuation, some people bring their pets — others, heartbreakingly, must leave them behind.
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In Winnipeg, the Humane Society has opened a temporary animal shelter at St. Norbert Community Centre.
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The Manitoba Animal Alliance is caring for animals left behind in northern towns.
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In Alberta, Parachutes for Pets is collecting donations through its Northern Alberta Wildfire Support Fund.
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In Saskatchewan, Northern Animal Rescue is working in La Ronge to rescue and feed animals left in the fire zones.
Chelsie Breeze, with the animal rescue team, described it simply:
“You have to make some quick, hard decisions about which animals you can take — and which ones you have to leave.”
The wildfire season is only beginning, and the toll is growing daily. But alongside the fear, loss, and uncertainty, there’s also hope — in the form of neighbours helping neighbours, strangers stepping up, and communities doing whatever it takes to care for one another.
If you’re able to donate, volunteer, or simply share this information — it matters.
Because for thousands of people right now, a little help could mean everything.
By Natalie Stechyson · CBC News