These photos capture the intensity of the disaster
Thousands of people fled from areas overwhelmed by wildfires in Canada's northern Manitoba.
The outbreak of fires across much of western Canada's north is due to unusually hot and dry conditions and flames are consuming hundreds of thousands of hectares of tinder-dry forest and bushland.
Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba have both declared states of emergency to deal with the spreading fires, which have so far largely hit remote and sparsely-populated areas.
People from northern Indigenous communities are fleeing as fires approach and their few routes to the south are cut off. Some communities have airlifted their most vulnerable people out, but smoke has closed at least one airport.
The US sent 125 firefighting staff to Manitoba amidst a weather report indicated it was likely that winds would blow the raging fire into the town.
There are 23 active fires in Manitoba and 14 in Saskatchewan, according to provincial data. The oil-producing province of Alberta also has 51 active fires, and oil companies have been evacuating workers this week.
(All images via AP, AFP, Reuters)