Additional Coverage:
- Smoke to pour into the US as Canada wildfires force province’s largest evacuation in ‘living memory’ (cnn.com)
Rampant Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate in Canada, Smoke Spreads to US
Widespread wildfires are raging across western and central Canada, prompting thousands of evacuations and raising concerns about the severity of this year’s fire season. The escalating blazes are also sending plumes of hazardous smoke towards major US cities.
States of emergency have been declared in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with much of Canada facing an “extreme” risk of wildfires. Over 160 wildfires are currently burning across the country, about half of which are uncontrolled. Canada’s National Preparedness Level has been raised to 5, the highest level, unusually early in the season.
Manitoba has seen approximately 17,000 people evacuated, impacting communities including Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, and Cross Lake. Premier Wab Kinew acknowledged the scale of the evacuation, calling it the largest in recent memory, while assuring residents that they will receive support.
Saskatchewan is also facing significant challenges, with widespread evacuations reported. Premier Scott Moe declared a state of emergency following concerns raised by First Nations leaders about firefighting resources. Moe emphasized the urgent need for rainfall to combat the fires.
Climate change is exacerbating wildfire risks, contributing to larger, more frequent, and more intense fires. Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2023, and 2024 is already showing concerning trends, with over 1.58 million acres burned so far – 40% above the 10-year average.
Smoke from the Canadian wildfires is projected to reach the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the US, potentially impacting cities like Green Bay, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Detroit. Air quality alerts have been issued for parts of Minnesota and Michigan, warning of unhealthy particle levels. While some smoke may linger through the weekend, high-level smoke, which does not impact air quality, is expected to spread across the Northern Plains.
The concerning start to the Canadian wildfire season, combined with US wildfire forecasts predicting above-normal potential, suggests a smoky summer may lie ahead for millions.