Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaking at a news conference at 5:30 p.m. CT
Manitoba has declared a provincewide state of emergency as wildfires continue to threaten communities across the province.
An emergency alert issued at around 5:25 p.m. Wednesday said the measure was due to rapidly spreading wildfires and extreme fire conditions in northern and eastern Manitoba.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said this is a "significant step" to protect the lives of about 17,000 people.
He said Prime Minister Mark Carney has accepted the province's request the Canadian Armed Forces step in to help.