Air quality in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota is deteriorating due to smoke from wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Thousands have evacuated their homes in these Canadian provinces, where officials have declared a state of emergency and are working to contain numerous out-of-control wildfires.
The smoke has reached the upper Midwest of the United States and is expected to persist through early June, as multiple rounds of smoke are forecasted to move south, according to Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency.
As the fires intensify, two fatalities have been reported in a small town in Manitoba, marking a grim start to Canada’s wildfire season, which typically spans from March to October.
Approximately 1.7 million acres have burned across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the majority of fires concentrated along Manitoba's northwest border with Saskatchewan and in northern Saskatchewan. About 17,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, with more communities likely to follow, as stated by Manitoba's premier.
Evacuations in rural areas, which include several First Nations reserves, have been assisted by the Canadian armed forces due to hazardous conditions. However, delays in evacuation efforts have been reported, particularly in the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, where around 2,000 individuals remain unable to leave.
In Saskatchewan, nearly double the number of wildfires have occurred this year compared to the five-year average, with 211 reported incidents. Other regions in Canada, including northeast British Columbia, parts of Alberta, and northwest Ontario, are also experiencing fire activity.
In the upper Midwest, air quality warnings have been issued as smoke from the wildfires drifts southward. Increased levels of particulate matter, such as soot and ash, have been detected, prompting officials to advise residents, particularly vulnerable groups, to limit outdoor activities.
Government data indicates that 98 of Manitoba’s 106 wildfires have been caused by human activity, while a few were likely ignited by lightning. Historically, lightning has been responsible for the majority of wildfire area burned, but this year, human-caused fires have predominated.
In response to the wildfires, Canada’s prime minister has convened an emergency response group and pledged support, including matching donations to the Canadian Red Cross and military assistance. Last year, the government had already established plans for wildfire management, including funding for international crews and training Indigenous firefighters.
Meteorologists warn that conditions may worsen due to strong winds and a lack of rain in the forecast. This spring has seen above-average heat in both provinces, exacerbated by a high-pressure system that promotes dry conditions. June is considered critical for wildfire forecasting, as it typically brings summer rainfall that could influence the remainder of the wildfire season.
In 2023, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with eight firefighters killed and over 7,100 wildfires burning 37 million acres. This area is larger than England, and the wildfires were identified as the top carbon emitter for that year.