Canada wildfires: thousands in Manitoba ordered to evacuate as state of emergency declared

There are more than 130 active wildfires across the country, half of which are considered out of control

More than 17,000 people in Canada's western Manitoba province were being evacuated on Wednesday as the region experienced its worst start to the wildfire season in years.

The Manitoba government has declared a province-wide state of emergency due to the wildfire situation," Manitoba's premier, Wab Kinew, told a news conference. This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory."