A Bermudian resident of Manitoba told of her “concern, fear and sadness” as an unprecedented series of wildfires swept across three of Canada’s provinces.

Crystal Simmons has been living in Winnipeg, the provincial capital of Manitoba, for more than two decades.

She said as of late last week, 25 active wildfires were threatening the province, with eight deemed out of control by authorities.

Fires are also raging in the more westerly provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Ms Simmons told The Royal Gazette: “We’re feeling very concerned for our loved ones, and everyone impacted.

“All is well. Just cannot go outside, the smoke is extremely heavy and we can smell it very strong.”

She added: “We personally have friends who were displaced and had to come to the city. We have spent time at their home and it makes it really personal.

“I have another very close friend who runs a childcare centre up north and very close to the fires — the air quality is so bad and the risk is frightening.”

Ms Simmons, from Devonshire, told how her friend Katrina, a travelling nurse, was forced to move from one location to another, witnessing the fires and devastation first-hand.

Ms Simmons said the First Nations people were being forced to leave behind everything including their pets, with some communities rescued by airlift after having “no way out” because highways and roads were closed.

She said more flights were needed to get the residents out of harm’s way, with the situation so dire that hospitals had to be evacuated while power was out in many areas.

Ms Simmons said: “For us in the city, all of this is so scary. I am so fearful for what could be more devastation and loss like what happened in Lac du Bonnet.”

The town suffered two deaths in mid-May after a severe blaze swept through.

Ms Simmons said: “Firefighters are working extremely hard along with all volunteers and others on the ground. More help is coming in from other counties.”

She added: “I know people who are impacted personally, and even if I didn’t I would feel the same emotional sadness and concern.

“This is devastation for our fellow Manitobans.”

She said she has an asthmatic condition and suffers from allergies, making the poor air quality “extremely difficult on my breathing and eyes”.

She said she is trying to limit her outdoor activities as she noted that the devastation is minimal when compared with those who are directly impacted.

She said the inferno marked the second major wildfire in Manitoba in two weeks, with the first bearing down on Lac du Bonnet, an hour’s drive away from her, on May 15.

Ms Simmons said: “The loss of that amazing couple left us all extremely sad.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and that very tight-knit community. There is the constant threat of loss of life.

“The amount of people that are at risk is growing every moment. It is all stressful. We pray to whatever we believe, every day, that there is no more loss of life.”

Wab Kinew, the premier of Manitoba, declared a state of emergency last week and, according to media reports, 17,000 people were taken to safety by Saturday.

Evacuees are eligible for financial assistance and shelter.

Ms Simmons said Manitoba residents were pitching in by donating resources through the Red Cross and other agencies.

Ms Simmons works as a legislative analyst at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning in Winnipeg.

She said she moved to the area to pursue opportunities for her children as well as to join her Bermudian partner and continue pursuing her educational goals.

Few Bermudians live in her area, she said, with one family she had befriended returning home a few years ago.

Ms Simmons said relatives and friends on the island had sent frequent messages and called to check that she and her family were safe.

Meanwhile, Davien Bean, a Bermudian resident of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, said although the fires were 230 kilometres away, their effects could be felt.

Mr Bean, from Hamilton Parish, said although there were questions about the origin of the fire in his area, including arson, affected residents had been evacuated since last week.

Sixteen active wildfires in the province have led to at least 17 evacuations, forcing thousands to flee their homes, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Scott Moe, the Premier of Saskatchewan, said on Saturday that the province’s ability to fight its wildfires was reaching breaking point.

Mr Bean said: “This has been the worst in the province since the La Ronge wildfires in 2015 where thousands had to be evacuated and brought into Saskatoon.”

He added: “I have been sympathetic with what has been happening during this. I find myself lucky, but I do have bouts of survivor’s guilt.”

Mr Bean, an internet technician, moved to Saskatoon 15 years ago, saying it “reminds me of Bermuda as it is a family-friendly city and easy to meet people”.

He said the thick smoke was heavy enough to limit time outdoors to a half-hour.

He added: “Friday was the worst, but there was less smoke as the days went by.”

Wildfire season in Canada typically runs from May to September, with an average of 77 wildfires.

This year, the country has reported an estimated 177 active wildfires with 97 of them categorised as “out of control”.